Siyadlala Marimba set to wow Tea on the Terrace

Show-stopping musical performances are planned for Tea on the Terrace, with KZN’s best marimba band opening the event.

The Siyadlala Marimba Band from Arboretum Primary School will set the stage alight at this year’s Dice (Do I Care Enough?) fundraiser, taking place from 10am to 12.30pm on Saturday, 7 September at the exquisite Thembela Venue.

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Performing since 2007, the band’s name ‘Siyadlala’ is derived from the Zulu word meaning ‘we play/perform’, while ‘marimba’ means ‘voice of wood’.

The current band members from King Cetshwayo District, aged 11 to 14, have been playing together since 2022.

Under the guidance of music teacher Corné Wagener, the band has won multiple awards, including two first places at the International Marimba and Steelpan Festival in Johannesburg. This year, they took 3rd place in the Strictly Classical category, competing against 2 300 musicians from as far as Zimbabwe.

Locally, the group won several awards at the KZN Manic Marimba Festival in 2023 and 2024, including Manic Mingling, Movie Themes, and African category, as well as Overall Winner in the KZN Primary School category.

The teacher behind their success

Known affectionately as ‘MaMarimba’, Corné Wagener has been playing music since she started playing on a neightbour’s organ aged four.

She continued to excel in music throughout her school years, before taking on the role of teacher.

She has been teaching marimba for 18 years and has taught music at Arboretum Primary for 25 years.

It was in 2006 when she attended a marimba course which changed her life.

“The marimba reignited my passion for music education when I was at a crossroads, and it opened up a whole new world for me,” said Corné.

“The marimba is special because it brings together rhythm, melody and teamwork in a way no other instrument does.”

She explained that a group can start playing after only a few minutes of tuition, compared with most musical instruments that require hours of lessons and practice.

“It relies more on gross motor skills than fine motor skills, making it accessible even to people with disabilities,” she said.

Corné said the marimba helps students learn valuable life skills ‘that extend far beyond the music room’, such as collaboration, teamwork and listening to one another.

Show-stopping performances

In May, Siyadlala Marimba attended the Cape Town Marimba Festival at the Baxter Theatre, an honour traditionally reserved for Capetonians.

“Each time we performed, we received a standing ovation, making each experience unforgettable,” said Corné.
Last year, they played in a KZN Midlands tour performing at various schools, including performing with the world-renowned

Drakensberg Boys’ Choir.
Corné said the band members are honoured to be part of Dice’s Tea on the Terrace.

“They understand the significance of the cause and are eager to contribute their talent to help raise funds for cancer patients and ongoing Dice projects,” she said.

The band will be playing classical, modern, and African medleys which includes Mangwane, PataPata, Chimurenga, Illiswe, and O’Ga, as well as songs by South African DJ Black Coffee.

An Echoes of Mozart medley will feature songs by the classical composer, with modern pieces by Coldplay, Ed Sheeran, Chromance and more.

“We are practising diligently to ensure their performance is a memorable and uplifting start to the event,” said Corné.

Don’t miss Siyadlala Marimba’s performance at Dice’s Tea on the Terrace.

Book your table for R2 000 by contacting Karen Dalton at dice@zob.co.za.

But hurry, time is ticking and 7 September will be here before you know it!