Help student make his dreams a reality

THE moment Sbusiso Mkhonza started singing in the school choir as a child, he knew what he wanted to do with his life.

Sbu, (31), a vocalist and bass guitarist, has overcome huge hurdles recently to make his dream of furthering his studies in music a reality.
“When my family asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up, it was first a doctor and then a chartered accountant. As an African, we are expected to aim high and follow those kinds of careers, but this changed the day I opened my mouth to sing as a young child in primary school. I joined the school choir and literally grew up as part of the choir, leading the choir in high school and later joining the Mhluzi Choral Choir, a community choir, after school. I decided that was what I wanted for my life, music was what I liked, who I was. I slept, ate and lived music,” he said.

Sbu enrolled in the Izithethe Art Institute in Mpumalanga, which is accredited with Trinity College and UNISA and completed his Grade 1, 2, 3 and 4 in bass guitar and Grade 6 in vocals between 2009 to 2011.
“My love of music grew and I decided to register at university to study a degree in music. I applied, went for auditions and joined in 2012. I love it, but I’ve had some trials trying to stay at university due to finances,” he said.

Sbu had to stop his studies in 2015 as he couldn’t afford to pay his fees, and had debt of R20 000 owing to the university. “I tried to raise money by using my God-given talent, by doing concerts and gigs in and around Durban. I even convened one at my church in July, thanks to my very supportive pastor, Mambo Mkhize, and managed to make R4 000. When you work so hard it’s exciting to see the fruits of this and it encouraged me to keep on knocking on doors to see if I could get help,” he said.

The dedicated musician still had a large amount of money to raise and approached elders from his church to see if they could help. He was not expecting what happened next.
“The one elder was already supporting someone’s education, but he agreed to help, and another elder got back to me and said she would help with R10 000! I was speechless, I literally went from step one to step 11! I got the message from her at 10pm at night and I couldn’t sleep! It’s true what the Bible says, joy comes in the morning! I have paid my debt, but I still need to raise R3 500 to pay a registration fee by the end of the week,” he said.

Sbu has also approached the Holy Family College in Glenwood to offer volunteer services in music, as he has decided to pursue his career in teaching, however he will need to be registered as a student at university to be able to do this.
“This will grant me the opportunity to gain experience in teaching and I will do my practicals in the same school. I really don’t want to miss this great opportunity. I am interested in teaching young children, as I feel they learn fast, and the skills I teach them they will carry until they are old. It’s great to invest something in them. I do teach bass to older people too,” he said.

Sbu said he is in the process of applying for NSFAS (financial aid) for next year, but said as this scheme is very troubled, it limits his chances.
“I will need some help with fees for this year, but God has shown me wonders, and I have faith, I’m not going to doubt Him now. I’m really hopeful things will come together for me, I don’t want to have to drop out of university because of financial problems,” he said.

Sbu formed the quartet ‘Noted,’ which is new in the industry and is growing every day.
“It may be a tough industry, but I’m always happy, as I’m doing what I love. My source of strength and inspiration, my mom, died of cancer last September, but she was so supportive of me, as she was just happy I was following my dreams. I’m aiming high! My dream is to hold a PhD in music by the time I’m 45. It will be hard work, but it’s worth it,” he said.

If anyone can help Sbu with his registration fees or study fees year, contact him on 071 216 9436.