The talented youngsters of the Casterbridge Music Development Academy (CMDA) showcased their newly acquired skills during a highly enjoyable event on December 9.

According to the CMDA’s manager, Chelle Snyman, the academy offers various programmes which nurture young talent from all areas of the Lowveld. “One of the objectives of the academy is to keep kids off the streets through music, and give them a platform to showcase their talents at a young age. We offer after-school classes for young people who want to learn how to play music and sing,” she said.

CMDA is a non-profit organisation, currently funded by the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture.

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“We rely solely on funding to run all our after-school and full-time programmes. We appreciate all funding and would be grateful to get more from sponsors in order for us to grow and develop even more. Our aim is to make sure we recruit as many kids as we can and give them a platform in music,” said Snyman.

More than 200 people attended the show with many proud parents among them, and the children made everyone proud with their spirited performances.
The marimba groups set the stage with excellent performances, followed by traditional dances. The gumboot dancers even got the audience on their feet as they energetically stomped through their routines.

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The development band from the academy showed all the latent talent in the Lowveld, which only needed an outlet and training.
The highly successful and enjoyable event closed with an awards ceremony, proving yet again why the work of the CMDA is so important in ensuring the future of the area’s young people.