Izivunguvungu MSC Foundation celebrates Heritage Month with music at Kleinberg Primary
unior members of the Izivunguvungu MSC Foundation for Youth performed at Kleinberg Primary on Thursday, September 18, marking Heritage Month with music that honours culture and tradition.
Image: Supplied
The Izivunguvungu MSC Foundation for Youth marked Heritage Month with a special performance at Kleinberg Primary School on Thursday, September 18.
Junior members of the group, selected from local schools including Jupiter Primary School, Kleinberg Primary School and Marine Primary School in Ocean View, came together to share music connected to heritage and tradition.
For more than 25 years, Commander Mike Oldham, a former Navy band director, has taught young musicians, introducing them to local and international songs dating back hundreds of years.
Favourites include Beethoven’s Choral Symphony and South Africa’s own Tshotsholoza.
Under his guidance, Izivunguvungu groups have travelled nationally and internationally, performing alongside European bands at festivals and competitions.
At the International Youth Festival in Vienna, one of the groups was rated “the best from all of Africa.”
The Ocean View musicians have also featured twice at the prestigious Musikschau der Nationen in Germany, performing songs from around the world - including learning a Chinese piece - while also introducing audiences to the Click Song, Tshotsholoza, and traditional African drumming.
Today, more than 200 young people, aged 10 to over 20, are part of the programme. Some of the older members are now giving back by helping to teach music to the next generation.