A visit from RedCap Foundation ambassadors Gangs of Ballet brightened up the day for pupils at Zilungisele Primary School on Thursday last week.
The SAMA winning musicians from Durban had come to see the impact the RedCap Foundation has made in the school and sing with the pupils. In turn, the pupils showcased their singing, dancing and drama skills.
Zilungisele is one of five primary schools in KwaDukuza that forms part of the Foundation’s RedCap School programme which kicked off in 2010.
Aldinville, St Christopher, Kearsney and Nyakana Primary schools are also part of the successful initiative.
Programme manager, Lisa Holloway, said the programme aims to be holistic and “intervene in every aspect of the school that faces various challenges in the low income community”.
To this end, the programme addresses not only the needs of the pupils, but those of the teachers and parents. Teachers have received training and parents are encouraged to participate with homework clubs and eco gardens.
The children have benefited from computer labs, maths clubs and lessons in the creative arts. Zanele Mhlongo, who has been teaching music and dance for two years, said that she could see the children’s confidence grow and their results improve.
School principal Mr Khumalo thanked the RedCap Foundation for renovating the school and providing a hall and sports fields.
“Our results have improved immensely. Our pupils are performing far better compared to the district as a whole,” he said.
He said the school was seen as “a catalyst for change in the area” and that he was sharing his new-found knowledge with other schools.
Band member Jonothan Rich said Gangs of Ballet had chosen to support the Red Cap Foundation because it promotes development and “is not just about throwing money at a problem. In the end you get something that really means something.”
Lead singer, Brad Kleinsmith, stressed the importance of the creative arts, saying, “The arts allow you to be a bit more of what you’re meant to be. It’s phenomenal to institute that at a young age.”
The highlight of the visit was when the band and the children sang the national anthem together.
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