GARDEN ROUTE NEWS - Rhodes University in Makanda, previously called Grahamstown, is 120 years old this year.

As part of this celebration, the university's chamber choir is doing a tour to the Western Cape, including the Garden Route.

The aim is for the choir to offer workshops and collaborate with school choirs and other music groups on its tour of the Eastern Cape, Garden Route, Western Cape Winelands and Cape Town.

Contact

School choir directors and others involved in singing groups are invited to contact the Rhodes chamber choir music director, Sibusiso Njeza (sibusiso.njeza@ru.ac.za or 046 603 7259) for more information. 

Anyone who would like to get involved with the tour through bookings, partnerships or sponsorships can also contact Njeza.

Composer and conductor

He is a composer and conductor. He says: "The power of music to overcome cannot be over emphasised, especially in a country like South Africa, where poverty is rife.

“The lived reality in most rural areas is that survival takes priority over art and music, but what if art and music can help transform lives in real, practical and sustainable ways?” asks Njeza.

Beauty

“Young people need to see relatable role models that prove to them that things of beauty can transform their lives.

"This is why we are taking the tour to them in small towns all over the Eastern and Western Cape."
Rhodes University Chamber Choir (RUCC) tour dates for the Western Cape:
18-19 August: Southern Cape (George/Mossel Bay area).
20-21 August: Ashton (with the Zolani Youth Choir).
22-24 August: Cape Town (with UCT, SU and UWC, as well as the Methodist Church Choir in Rondebosch).

The RUCC will engage with schools, prospective students and communities in all areas visited through music workshops, song exchanges and diverse collaborations.

 ‘We bring you the latest Garden Route, Hessequa, Karoo news’