for the 2006 South African Schools Choral Eisteddfod National Champions, 29
June â 2 July 2006, Coca-Cola Dome, Randburg.
2 July 2006
Background and discussion
2006 South African Schools Choral Eisteddfod (SASCE) is the sixth national
championships, formerly known as the Tirisano Schools Choral Eisteddfod. All
provinces have successfully participated and organised their championships.
Learners from all provinces will be participating in the following categories:
Soprano soli, mezzo sop soli, tenor soli, baritone soli, duets; small
ensembles, female voices; male voices; mixed choirs (African); mixed choirs
(Western); mixed choirs (Afrikaans), mixed choirs (HIV/AIDS) and open own
choice. Provincial mass choirs will also render the National Anthem and the
indigenous folklore.
The 2006 South African Schools Choral Eisteddfods theme is âAge of hope
through struggle to freedomâ. This year, government has recognised no less that
eight national events of historic significance. These include:
* the 10th anniversary of the adoption of our first democratic Constitution
of the Republic of South Africa on 8 May 1996
* the 30th anniversary of the Soweto uprisings of 16 June 1976
* the 50th anniversary of the Womenâs March against the draconian apartheid
pass laws on 09 August 1956
* the 50th anniversary of the Treason Trial (not the Rivonia Trial)
* the 100th anniversary of Satyagraha â the 1906 Passive Resistance Campaign
led by Mahatma Gandhi
* the 100th anniversary of the Anti-Poll Tax Uprising (Bambata Rebellion)
* the 20th anniversary of the death of the Mozambican President Samora Machel
on South African soil
* the 60th anniversary of the great mineworkers strike of 1946.
Guided by the theme Age of Hope through struggle to freedom, the Department
is pursuing two key strategies for the celebrations commemoration of the
above-mentioned eight national events, which include curriculum-based
activities to ensure that teachers teach about the historical significance,
continued importance of the above-mentioned historic events in their classrooms
celebratory and broad-based advocacy events.
The communication message of the enrichment programmes centres around the
following issues of which SASCE is part to:
* celebrate the contributions of the Class of 1976, amongst other epochs of
struggles for national liberation.
* mobilise the youth of South Africa to take advantage of the programmes made
available and possible through a democratic and free constitution.
* enable development of partnerships within the youth movement, and between the
youth of South Africa and government through a coherent messages of the
national effort to fight poverty, unemployment and diseases.
* profile the successes that some young people have attained within a
democratic country, and encourage them to rededicate themselves into protecting
the gains of democracy.
* inculcate the spirit of service among young South Africans through
volunteerism for community development.
* Create a year long environment within which young people in different sectors
of our country could interact through these platforms to improve their
lives.
* unveil the Integrated Sustainable Youth Development Strategy as a blue-print
for youth development in SA.
* mobilise and promote partnerships with relevant sectors of society in the
implementation of the 30th Anniversary programme.
In 2005, the Minister had commissioned composers to write songs as part of
the celebrations of the 50th Anniversary of the Freedom Charter: âVukâ
uyibambeâ and âWe the people of South Africaâ and both have been prescribed for
2007.
The Department had brought together a group of composers who agreed to
collaborate in penning the special compositions that the youth choir performed.
These composers are: Mr Phelelani Mnomiya, the convener of the group of
composers; Messrs S J Khosa, Thanduxolo Ngqobe, Lungile Jacobs, Qinisela
Sibisi. Makhaya Mjana, Celebration Mntungwa, Mbeki Mbali, Tom Sitsholwana,
Teenage Mahlangeni and the only woman composer in this group, Mrs Theresa
Tsambo. The objective of bringing together the composers is to preserve,
protect and promote our own indigenous music, song and dance.
One of the highlights is the opening of the Trust Fund by the Department of
Education and First National Bank to continue supporting the twelve students
currently studying music at the University of Cape Town(UCT), the University of
North West (at Potchefstroom) and the Tshwane University of Technology in
Pretoria. One student who should make all of us proud is Ms Zandile Gwebityala,
who completed her studies at UCT in the four prescribed years of study a rare
achievement at that institution. Ms Gwebityala is currently registered for her
first year Honours studies and has also been admitted to the opera studio an
achievement to be proud of indeed. Also important to note is the fact that Ms
Pretty Yende, who is in her final year of study this year, passed the third
year as the top student in her class. She too, as it appears, will complete her
studies similarly to Ms Gwebityala in a record four years. She has been
recommended for Honours study, and she is sure to be admitted to the opera
studio as well. These are definitely two young women we can all be proud of. We
have seven intakes for 2006 over and above those in higher education
institution.
Issued by: Department of Education
2 July 2006
