The Casterbridge Music Development Programme (CMDP) aims to create an international music exchange programme, thereby broadening their horizons and creating friendships across cultural divides. Mike Matthews and Paul Bruce-Brand visited New York City earlier this year and initiated a working relationship with the Carnegie Hall development programme. This led them further into the USA and they met up with Sibley Johns of the Music Resource Centre of Charlottesville, who has had enormous success in this field, enjoying the support of successful recording artists like Dave Matthews, of the ‘Dave Matthews Band’ amongst others. CMDP starts from the premise that music is an integral part of a rounded education and actually enhances school performance. Studies have shown that by taking up a musical instrument, learners’ math marks could be raised by up to 20% in some cases.
The CMDP has already staged several concerts, showcasing some of the awesome young singers and musicians in the Lowveld. An abundance of young talent performed live as part of the opening line-up for UB40 in December 2011 at Mbombela Stadium - and they rocked the audience!
The
line-up at the CMDP concerts ranges from local teenage rock bands, to orphan dancing troupes such as the Jikilele dancers, and the
well-loved singing sensations The Singing Waiters. Crossing international divides is part and parcel of the programme.
At these concerts young people cross cultural and economic boundaries, and are bonded by nothing more than their love
of music. For more information on all of the CMDP activities and the performers involved, please visit www.mpuma-music.org.za
Guardian Angels are a dynamic new volunteer group that has been up and running for 4 months now. Volunteers from all over
Guardian Angels are always looking for volunteers
to assist us in making a difference. Volunteers are expected to visit the elderly or sick that are house bound – once a week. To share a cup of tea and merely be an ear to listen. We can also assist by transporting the folks to doctor’s appointments,
clinic’s etc.
Left to right: Marcel van Doorn (National Co-ordinator), Fiona Collins (Nelspruit Co-ordinator), Marina Good (Sabie Co-ordinator)
& Adrianne Schultz (White River Co-ordinator)
NCF was established in 2004 in response to the many people living on and from the streets of Mbombela, a geographical area in Mpumalanga (province of South Africa). Included are men and women, boys and girls, black and white, educated and not educated. Many faith communities and businesses were busy caring for these “jewels” in different ways. Knowing that a collective and central service point will benefit the society in broad; NCF started operations.
The NCF is an NPO registered with the department of Welfare and a Public Benefit Organization registered with SARS with 18A status.
We welcome working and non working volunteers, male and female to join us. Volunteers
will also meet monthly when it is convenient for all to touch base and plan future fund raising activities and functions. We
are in the process of registering as a non profit organization.
Please visit our website listed below for more information and
our registration form can be downloaded and sent to Marcel.
For more info contact Marcel on 082 452 0940, fax
086 624 9442 email marcel@guardianangels.co.za or visit our website www.guardianangels.co.za