Marimba training, 150 kids, Alexandra Township

In the past few months, Education Africa has come alive with the joyful sounds of music, connection, and learning. From a bustling concert hall at Wits University to a hands-on workshop uniting our ECD and Marimba teams, we’ve seen how powerful music can be in bringing people together and enriching young lives.

Sounds of Celebration X Concert

We recently hosted our Sounds of Celebration X concert at the Linder Auditorium, a night that left everyone feeling inspired. Over 200 young performers from 20 of our Marimba Hubs joined professional musicians from around the world, marking our first-ever hybrid concert. This year’s theme was Believe, and the event truly captured the spirit of belief in music’s ability to connect us all.

The concert was led by Joan, who has been an essential part of Education Africa for over 10 years. Joan’s dedication and vision helped shape 38 inclusive marimba hubs and took our young musicians on 12 international tours. As Joan retires, we celebrate her incredible legacy and thank her for all she’s given to Education Africa. Her impact will stay with us long into the future.

We’re also deeply grateful to everyone who attended, supported, and shared in this journey with us. Special thanks go to the National Lotteries Commission (NLC) and Blue Label Telecoms for making this event possible. It’s because of their support that we can create moments of connection and joy through music. Here’s to many more evenings like this one!

Bringing Music to Early Childhood Development: The ECD-Marimba Workshop

As part of our ongoing mission to combine music with early childhood education, on October 26th, we held a workshop that brought together our ECD trainers, interns, and Marimba programme facilitators. This session introduced them to our Little Grey Squirrel and Friends preschool Marimba Hub programme, which uses music, drama, art, movement, and play to engage young children in arts and culture.

A special shout-out goes to Puseletso, one of our marimba trainers, who led the session with her trademark energy and warmth. Her approach made the workshop engaging and fun, inspiring everyone to embrace the possibilities of integrating music and cultural learning into early childhood development. We’re excited to expand this programme, reaching more communities and enriching more children’s lives.

Looking Ahead

These past months have reminded us just how much can be accomplished when we come together through music and education. From a concert hall filled with cheers to a workshop buzzing with new ideas, we’re energized by the impact we’re making. As we look forward, we know that this work will continue to build connections, inspire young learners, and bring us closer to a shared future full of promise. Thank you for being part of this journey with us.

Education Africa was thrilled to host the incredibly talented Austrian trumpeter Franz Hackl, who visited our schools and Marimba Hubs in South Africa. Hackl is renowned for his remarkable versatility, seamlessly moving between genres from jazz to classical music. Beyond his exceptional musical talent, he is also an accomplished instrument maker. One of his proudest creations is a unique trumpet crafted using a blend of brass and mopani wood from South Africa—a trumpet that has now "come home" to the country of its origins.

During his time with us, Hackl collaborated closely with our Sibonile, MCK, and Ithembelihle special-school Marimba Hubs, conducting workshops and performing in three short concerts. The students had the opportunity to showcase their repertoire while Hackl skillfully improvised alongside them, creating a dynamic and enriching musical experience. Another highlight of his visit was his performance with Masibambane College’s Prestige Band during our school's Founders Day celebrations on May 18th. This event was a true cultural exchange, bringing immense joy to our students and the entire community.

Witnessing Hackl's passion, skill, and dedication to his craft was truly inspiring for everyone involved. His presence not only enriched our Hubs but also left a lasting impact on our marimba learners and their peers. We are immensely grateful for the invaluable experience he shared with us, fostering growth and creativity in our students.

Links:

• More about our Marimba Project