MPUMALANGA

NELSPRUIT - Ray Phiri Arts Institute

The son of the soil Ray Chikapa Phiri of the Stimela fame has always had a dream to have a music school at this province. It was until he came across SAMET that his dream was realized.

The institute started in the year 2006 as a one day program - Saturday program. It attracted the young and the old. Due to the lack of many other constructive, social activities especially for the youth, it was necessary to have a fulltime program at this province. 

At the outreach concert buy the JPO in the Nelspruit botanical garden, SAMET found it inundated buy the call to stretch the institute to a full week program, hence it made our mission accomplished when the Premier endorsed the motion.

The Ray Phiri Institute got to a start in May with the appointment of educators and registration of students. 

The following is the staff complement at the school;

1. Ray Phiri Honorary Head / Guitar
2. Thule Nene Administrator
3. Godfrey Dupwa Voice training, Choir and African Music Studies - Mbira
4. Kgaladi Thema African Music Studies and Guitar
5. Bongani Mavundla Brass [ trumpet, trombone and tuba]
6. Albert Malope Theory of Music, Harmon, Form and Analysis 
7. Kinette Deats Piano and Keyboard Harmony
8. Jeph Nomvete Saxophone

The drums, bass guitar and the violin/viola/cello educators are still to be appointed.

Thanks to the Mpumalanga Legislator for supporting Music Education.

WITBANK - Izithethe Music Project

The project was initiated by Faith Magagula who runs a multi cultural centre in Witbank. The project has attracted school children from the neighboring townships such as Kwa-Guqa and Ezitendini. The project started in July 2006.

Lessons are offered every afternoon in the following;

1. Recorder     Given Kamanga
2. Brass          Given Kamanga
3. Drums/Perc Derrick Harigopaul


This is one project that still needs funding as it has a potential to explode into a successful story.