13 July 2006
Western Cape Education MEC, Cameron Dugmore, has congratulated the 19
primary and high schools who have performed outstandingly at the National
Championships of the 2006 South African Schools Choral Eisteddfod, formerly
known as the Tirisano Schools Choral Eisteddfod, held at the Coca Cola Dome in
Randburg from 29 June to 2 July 2006.
The Western Cape schools excelled in both the primary and secondary sections
of the competition and were the champions in five categories, obtained six
second positions and five third positions.
This eisteddfod is the biggest musical event for schools organised by the
Department of Education and schools from all nine provinces compete in 31
categories which include solo performances, small ensembles and choral
items.
This annual showpiece was attended by the Minister of Education Ms Naledi
Pandor and several MECs, including MEC Cameron Dugmore. The Dutch Embassy
generously contributed towards the funding of the event.
Said MEC Dugmore; "Music and the arts in education have an important role to
play in providing our learners not only with the necessary skills and
knowledge, but also with healthy value systems and sound attitudes towards
life.
"Studies have shown that 41 percent of those who matriculated over the last
three years are still looking for employment. This means that we have a huge
task to ensure that many more young people are employable.
"Through our Human Capital Development Strategy (HCDS), we want to ensure
that many more learners acquire knowledge and practical skills to contribute to
growing our economy as part of the Accelerated and Shared Growth Initiative for
South Africa (AsgiSA).
"Our draft music in education strategy is based on six key pillars. First of
all, we already have three existing music centres which need to be
strengthened. They are the Beau Soleil, Hugo Lamprecht and Frank Pietersen
music centres.
"Secondly, the WCED has 39 dance posts allocated to the Curriculum
Development Directorate established under the care of senior curriculum
planners.
"The posts are allocated annually across all EMDC regions. These posts form
a learning pathway for learners who have an interest or talent in dance and to
prepare them for selecting dance studies as a subject in Further Education
Training (FET), grades 10 - 12.
"There is a shortage of qualified dance teachers and arts and culture
teachers and there are many career opportunities in the workplace for learners
with a good dance background.
"High schools receive a full time post so that the dance teachers can
prepare the grade eight and nine learners in a dance specific learning pathway
in arts and culture, to prepare them for taking dance as a subject from grades
10 - 12.
"A third pillar of the proposed strategy would be that we must strengthen
our support for our nine arts and culture focus schools, making sure that the
music learning area is linked to economic opportunity.
"Fourthly; all our high schools now have computer labs. We are looking at
installing appropriate music software, to provide learners with digital
composition and editing skills.
"Fifthly, the WCED has just bought the building of the ex-Cric building the
Career and Resource Centre which was an educational development non-government
organisations (NGOs). This building will house an institute for contemporary
music linked with our Cape Town College. A second such institute is to be
established in George linked with the Southern Cape College.
"Lastly, the production of our Western Cape School Songbook intended to
promote unity among our schools in the Western Cape, is at an advanced stage.
Some of the songs compiled in the book are contributions from schools and
learners.
"To the learners who have performed so outstandingly, I want to say you
provide hope for many others who struggle with the challenges of poverty and
crime. Congratulations!"
The categories of winners are as follows:
Intermediate phase choirs:
* De Vrije Zee Primary School: first position: own choice
* Isikhokelo Primary School: third position: Afrikaans
* Siyosile Primary School: first position: African
* Siyazingisa Primary School: second position: mixed double quartet
Senior phase choirs:
* Lwandle Primary School: second position: English
* Sakumlandela Primary School: second position: African
* Hlengisa Primary School: third position: girls choir
Further Education Training (FET) schools/colleges:
* Fezeka Secondary School: first position: boys choir
* Luhlaza Secondary Schools: first position: girls choir
* Second position: small ensembles
* Third position: Mezzo soprano solo
* Simon Estes Secondary School: first position: Baritone Solo
* Sithembele Matiso: second position: African
* Second position: HIV/AIDS
* Joe Slovo Secondary School: third position: Afrikaans
* Manzomthombo Secondary School: third position: English
For enquiries contact:
Gert Witbooi
Cell: 082 550 3938
E-mail: gwitbooi@pgwc.gov.za.
Gert Witbooi
Media Liaison Officer
Tel: (021) 467 2523
Fax: (021) 425 5689
Issued by: Department of Education, Western Cape Provincial Government
13 July 2006
