A special music performance by candle light in remembering all the choristers who have passed on during the existence of the Uitenhage & District Music Association, will be held at the St Luke’s Methodist Church in KwaNobuhle.
The association was established during 1985 and was the mother board of all the choristers in and around Uitenhage. The association dissolved in 2005.
“This will be part of a music revival in the region and we appeal to the families of those choristers who have passed on to submit their names in order for us to specifi- cally bring remembrance to them,” said Sidima Nkumanda, founder of Uitenhage & District Music Development Project which was established with the assistance of Zwai Bala.
“Some of the choristers that we will acknowledge during the candle light ceremony include Wandihleka Madlakane, a South African tenor soloist who was born in Uitenhage. Wara as we used to call him, performed on international stages.”
Other great performers who have passed on are Zwelinjani Mqutheni, Sipho Sizani, Yoyo Maseti and Vusumzi Mbini.
“We have at heart to revive the glory days where music was the source of comfort and used to bring communities together.
The dusty streets of Uitenhage used to be alive on Sundays where there were music concerts and choral music competitions.
“With the project we meant to revive the talent that has been lost over the years owing to lack of support or lack of interest in and about the Nelson Mandela Bay,” said Sidima.
The project’s ultimate aim is to locally open a musical centre offering a platform for all talented musicians of all genres to have the opportunity to perform there.
Future events of the project include a gala dinner on December 7th; followed by a launch on December 8th; Churches Choir Competition 17 March 2019.
The choristers’ remembrance music event will be held on October 14th at 12:00.
- For more information contact Sidima at sidima000@gmail.com or Iviwe Makanya at mavinjela.makanya@gmail.com
– HEILIE COMBRINCK
