Youth empowerment is music to Thobile’s ears

FOR three years Thobile Dladla taught music to the youth in Klaarwater as a way to keep them occupied and away from drugs and alcohol. She now hopes to increase her reach and is in need of musical instruments.

Her NPO, Ihlolamvula,was named after a bird that, when you see it flying, you know the rain is going to come. “I know that something will come of the children. Through music they will rise,” said Thobile.

She works as a part time care-giver but in her spare time runs the organisation in Klaarwater. There are now 22 members and are between the ages of 10 and 20 years old. “Drugs are the biggest problem in our township and the youth I work with may not be taking drugs but this is to make sure that they keep busy and are proactive,” she said.

“I am trying to make my town better and I would like to uplift the community and want the children to do something that isn’t sit on the streets and smoke.”

Thobile has a musical background and helped the group to launch its first CD, entitled Ihlolamvula, last year. It took the group nearly a year to record the CD as the production was funded by Thobile from the money she was able to save from her job. None of the youth she works with are employed, so each month she would save a small amount and put it towards recording.

Every Sunday the aspiring musicians gather at Thobile’s mother’s house for their lessons. “There really is nowhere else for them to use at the moment,” she said.

“I am teaching them Zulu folk music and they are also very interested in Kwaito. Youngsters are very talented now days. I would like to start teaching them as many forms of music as possible.”

She appealed to the Highway community to please donate old and unwanted musical instruments. She said they are in need of a keyboard, a base guitar and microphones but would greatly appreciate any donations.

To make a donation, contact Thobile Dladla on 078 703 1042.