It's been a long time since I've blogged about anything. But there have many changes in my life. I got married, became a grandmother, updated my music, and the most important thing FULLY STEPPED INTO MY WORTH. The Surrender Adventures, the break up, the dating website that I stayed on for 30days and found the man of my dreams, allowed myself to be vulnerable, took on a full-time position, and creating a new chapter in my life, it has all been no pun intended WORTH IT!
I love you. More to come. More often.
Bukeka
Everyone is worthy simply because we exist as a unique one of a kind individual, never again to be repeated. One reason why we do not believe we ourselves are worthy, simply because we exist, is because of our certainty that it is not true of other people. We ask ourselves, how is it possible that people who have committed inhumane atrocities be worthy simply because they exist? They are, you are and so is everyone.
Saturday, October 22, 2016
Monday, December 7, 2015
Monday, February 6, 2012
My recent comment to CBS Morning Show
Hello Readers,
I WANTED TO SHARE A MOMENT OF WORTH. It's a comment I sent to CBS Sunday Morning Show. The segment is called "The Long and the Short of It". Here is the link to the video http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=7397602n&tag=mncol;lst;2. I place this here in case you want to see it before you read my comment to the station.
Sometimes it just has to be said.
"Yesterday, I had my routine of watching CBS Sunday Morning. A story caught my attention about hair cuts because I have a new cut that is getting a lot of attention.
I waited for the segment to have some styles of black hair but there were none. The psychologist, historians, and stylists all focused on white/ European hair.
To make it even more interesting, the only black women you aired was a women who was receiving help from a not-for-profit "dress for success" program wearing her hair straight, as if to remind us that if you want to be successful your hair needs to look white.
The icing on the cake was the closing of the segment which asked what is the most popular hair and OF COURSE the answer was "long and blond".
REALLY?
I think you owe your watchers an apology. In addition, it's February (African American History. How did you miss all that?"
I WANTED TO SHARE A MOMENT OF WORTH. It's a comment I sent to CBS Sunday Morning Show. The segment is called "The Long and the Short of It". Here is the link to the video http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=7397602n&tag=mncol;lst;2. I place this here in case you want to see it before you read my comment to the station.
Sometimes it just has to be said.
"Yesterday, I had my routine of watching CBS Sunday Morning. A story caught my attention about hair cuts because I have a new cut that is getting a lot of attention.
I waited for the segment to have some styles of black hair but there were none. The psychologist, historians, and stylists all focused on white/ European hair.
To make it even more interesting, the only black women you aired was a women who was receiving help from a not-for-profit "dress for success" program wearing her hair straight, as if to remind us that if you want to be successful your hair needs to look white.
The icing on the cake was the closing of the segment which asked what is the most popular hair and OF COURSE the answer was "long and blond".
REALLY?
I think you owe your watchers an apology. In addition, it's February (African American History. How did you miss all that?"
Friday, January 13, 2012
Talk about surrender
Radio interview with Dale Worley
From Music Speaks Louder Than Words: "Today's guest, the fabulous Bukeka Shoals, shares with us her recent adventure in South Africa. Hear moving stories of how Bukeka's music inspired and uplifted the people in and around Cape Town, and the difference this journey has made in her life. And of course, we get to hear Bukeka's music during this episode as well!
As Chaz and I drove through several cities, Dallas, Austin, Corpus Christie....and more, he used his process with me of allowing the Universe through me. For example, I randomly picked out one of the coaching cards he created that instructed me to look out my window and find something that feels good, then go feel it, love it, and be it. We were sitting in the car, and after I read it, I looked out the window to see the ocean. This video says it all.
Please visit www.chazwesley.com
From Music Speaks Louder Than Words: "Today's guest, the fabulous Bukeka Shoals, shares with us her recent adventure in South Africa. Hear moving stories of how Bukeka's music inspired and uplifted the people in and around Cape Town, and the difference this journey has made in her life. And of course, we get to hear Bukeka's music during this episode as well!
As Chaz and I drove through several cities, Dallas, Austin, Corpus Christie....and more, he used his process with me of allowing the Universe through me. For example, I randomly picked out one of the coaching cards he created that instructed me to look out my window and find something that feels good, then go feel it, love it, and be it. We were sitting in the car, and after I read it, I looked out the window to see the ocean. This video says it all.
Please visit www.chazwesley.com
Thursday, December 8, 2011
The Surrender Adventure of a Life Time-SOUTH AFRICA pt 4 "The Practice"
This entire trip was sprinkled with the most synchronicity of experiences. For example, before I left I had a performance at the Blue Room in Kansas City. Greg Carroll CEO of the American Jazz Museum told be to get in touch with a contact he had at a company called "ESP AFRIKA". The contact was Rashid Lombard. I emailed this man before I left but had received no response back. When I asked Mzwai of Novalis if he knew him, Mzwai said "I went to school with Rashid". He set up a meeting with the company and I left my CD's for consideration to be a performer at the next Cape Town Jazz Festival March 30th 2012.
Another experience of synchronicity is a book I was given by my dear friend Amy Brown. The name of the book is called "The Presence Process" by author Michael Brown who is from, where else, South Africa. The book anchors itself on deep breathing and integrating (as way of healing) emotional pain. Jane and I had many moments of having to breath deeply as we witnessed the most incredible love and passion amid poverty that is still not even the worst on the continent. In fact immigrants from other parts of the African continent come to Cape Town to end up living in what we would consider deplorable conditions. Some how no matter what, when you look in the eyes of some of the people living in conditions of racism and poverty you could always find a light.
Riversonderend (RSE)
Two hours Northeast of Cape Town is a town with a population of 5,500 people called Riviersonderend or RSE for short. There is a literally a wall that divides the town's black and white residents. The wall is painted with social graffiti with words of inspiration, encouragement and a message to get tested for HIV/AIDS. In the town is a woman named Liti (Lee-dee). Her son John has created a foundation that serves the people of this part of town to support Youth development, Social Entrepreneurship and Environmental Sustainability. John lives in Cape Town, but when he comes into RSE, the youth he has worked with gather around Liti's home. He is a sign of hope.
In the black side of town many adults have been diagnosed with HIV/AIDS and there is a high degree of alcoholism. A significant number of children have developmental challenges due to mothers who drink while pregnant. The white side of town are comprised mainly of retired white South Africans. They own the businesses in the town and would like to find a way to "integrate" but they don't want to be exposed to the crime and illness that has become associated with the black or coloured South Africans. There is a distinction between being a Black or Coloured South African. You are coloured if you are not white, BUT you cannot be affiliated with a tribe.
There are some whites in the town that recognize that the illness and drugs in the black community is not a "black" thing. Part of the grant that enabled this trip through The Light Center, aided in endeavors to bridge the Black and White divide. Some of the Black grandmothers (aka "gogo's) in the town have begun sewing and knitting projects to sell. They are excellent quality. While we were there a White business woman in the town who is also master quilter agreed to teach the Gogo's how to quilt and will help them sell them in her shop.
My most memorable moment while hanging out in RSE,was when I was walking through the town, If you walk slowly it takes 25 minutes to get from one end of town to the other. I spoke aloud, "God I don't know what is mine to do here but I am willing to do your will. So I just began singing aloud walking down the street. I came across a young girl named Monique. She had me sing Spirit Is Alive over and over, each time we ran into a new group of children. I sang it 3 times on the street in the same manner as if I were on a stage. I also took the time to get to know their goals and dreams. One high school freshman told me he wanted to be a lawyer but his teacher told him that he was hopeless. I told him to tell his teacher that "Bukeka from America said that you are not hopeless and that you can be a lawyer".
On Friday the clinic dispenses free medication to AIDS patients and I sang I'll Light a Candle in Your Name to those waiting in lobby while several of them were brought to tears.
BREATHE....
Blikkiesdorp (pronounced Blick-ees-dorp)
Bernadette is a woman about 5 foot with the power and a voice for justice that equals that of Martin Luther King or Mahatma Gandhi. She is a force to be reckoned with. She is the voice of Blikkiesdorp a settlement that was created to take the homeless and squatters off the street prior to the 2010 World Cup Soccer Championship that was held in Cape Town. The people living in Blikkies were forcibly removed and given tin shacks to live in. Sound familiar (Aparthied-this time separation by class.) The Novalis Institute was asked by the Mayor of Cape town to help with this eye soar of Cape Town.
During our visit to Blikkies, there was talk of a possible outbreak of Meningitis. Bernadette uses her cell phone to negotiate with government officials to draw attention to this crisis. She shares with us that the nearby hospital wants nothing to do with people from Blikkies. She takes her daughter to the hospital frequently to help her with respiratory problems developed from the metal in which her house is made of. One day Bern (her nickname) stated that she sat in the emergency waiting room and 5 people died right in front of her.
The sentiment is that the government does little to help with sick and elderly in hopes that the now 21,000 residents of Blikkies will simply die off. Children play on swing sets with no swings that are built on top of a hard rock surfaced ground. Electricity runs through the units but there is no running water inside the "units". One outdoor toilette is made available for very 4 dwellings.
Blikkie means "tin". Bern and her husband Ashey were given a computer and uses social media to bring light to the blight is Blikkiesdorp and uses that media as a weapon pointed at the government to shame them into creating change. On some levels that seems to be working. She will stress over and over that they are not interested in relying on the government, but the government should be aware that they are not willing to be put away and left to die.
BREATHE....
On the very day I left Cape Town, I spent a short time working with Robin Goff and care givers of individuals working with orphan children. During my portion of the presentation I introduced the group to EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) or tapping, which flowed well from Robin's work of healing touch. They tapped to my song "I Am Worthy of Love".
They affirmed "I love myself unconditionally" and "It's OK for me to receive." Bea Juris who works at Novalis and overseas programs for OVC (Orphans and Vulnerable Children) closed the day by reminding them that they are worthy and presented many of the workers with certificates of appreciation for the incredible work they do with children and youth.
In Closing....
My trip to South was the most amazing experience of my life. I have been noticeably transformed at depth. As I continued to practice being in the present moment and deep breathing through it all it aided me in dealing with the dichotomy of circumstances that make up South Africa. With all their challenges South Africa leads the world in environmental sustainability efforts.
I returned on Thanksgiving day. When I turned on the television Friday morning it was Black Friday and the news depicted shoppers rushing into Target and talk of "pepper spray". Immediately I shut the television off trying not to go into a place a judgement, which was not difficult to do.
Part of my shift in perception is that there are many many worldviews from where ever we happen to be on the planet. Somewhere in between insane greed and abject poverty lies a sea of humanity willing to give, produce, work, and celebrate the gift of being alive on a planet that is rich in substance, beauty and wonder.
With that, happy holidays, take NOTHING for granted and spend more time just being. Take time to practice deep breathing and simply take time to simply BE.
Love and Laughter
Bukeka
Videos and Images from RSE
A FUNNY moment of driving towards RSE and being faced by a herd of cattle "Oh my goodness".
Singing with kids at Liti's house The Universe is Calling and Guiermo singing Spirit is Alive while listening to the recording.
The Gogo's Sew
Garden along roadside
Solar energy panels on government housing
Social graffiti on the wall dividing RSE
Videos and Images from Blikkies
Asheleen who is in and out of hospital for respiratory problems
This YouTube clip is a South African group of classical singers visiting Blikkies to inspire and uplift. Many people who find out about Blikkiesdorp come to see for themselves and are moved to offer help and inspiration to the people that live there.
Above: Fezeka Choir Singing South African National Anthem, Below: Last day with caregivers at Novalis
Another experience of synchronicity is a book I was given by my dear friend Amy Brown. The name of the book is called "The Presence Process" by author Michael Brown who is from, where else, South Africa. The book anchors itself on deep breathing and integrating (as way of healing) emotional pain. Jane and I had many moments of having to breath deeply as we witnessed the most incredible love and passion amid poverty that is still not even the worst on the continent. In fact immigrants from other parts of the African continent come to Cape Town to end up living in what we would consider deplorable conditions. Some how no matter what, when you look in the eyes of some of the people living in conditions of racism and poverty you could always find a light.
Riversonderend (RSE)
Two hours Northeast of Cape Town is a town with a population of 5,500 people called Riviersonderend or RSE for short. There is a literally a wall that divides the town's black and white residents. The wall is painted with social graffiti with words of inspiration, encouragement and a message to get tested for HIV/AIDS. In the town is a woman named Liti (Lee-dee). Her son John has created a foundation that serves the people of this part of town to support Youth development, Social Entrepreneurship and Environmental Sustainability. John lives in Cape Town, but when he comes into RSE, the youth he has worked with gather around Liti's home. He is a sign of hope.
In the black side of town many adults have been diagnosed with HIV/AIDS and there is a high degree of alcoholism. A significant number of children have developmental challenges due to mothers who drink while pregnant. The white side of town are comprised mainly of retired white South Africans. They own the businesses in the town and would like to find a way to "integrate" but they don't want to be exposed to the crime and illness that has become associated with the black or coloured South Africans. There is a distinction between being a Black or Coloured South African. You are coloured if you are not white, BUT you cannot be affiliated with a tribe.
There are some whites in the town that recognize that the illness and drugs in the black community is not a "black" thing. Part of the grant that enabled this trip through The Light Center, aided in endeavors to bridge the Black and White divide. Some of the Black grandmothers (aka "gogo's) in the town have begun sewing and knitting projects to sell. They are excellent quality. While we were there a White business woman in the town who is also master quilter agreed to teach the Gogo's how to quilt and will help them sell them in her shop.
My most memorable moment while hanging out in RSE,was when I was walking through the town, If you walk slowly it takes 25 minutes to get from one end of town to the other. I spoke aloud, "God I don't know what is mine to do here but I am willing to do your will. So I just began singing aloud walking down the street. I came across a young girl named Monique. She had me sing Spirit Is Alive over and over, each time we ran into a new group of children. I sang it 3 times on the street in the same manner as if I were on a stage. I also took the time to get to know their goals and dreams. One high school freshman told me he wanted to be a lawyer but his teacher told him that he was hopeless. I told him to tell his teacher that "Bukeka from America said that you are not hopeless and that you can be a lawyer".
On Friday the clinic dispenses free medication to AIDS patients and I sang I'll Light a Candle in Your Name to those waiting in lobby while several of them were brought to tears.
BREATHE....
Blikkiesdorp (pronounced Blick-ees-dorp)
Bernadette is a woman about 5 foot with the power and a voice for justice that equals that of Martin Luther King or Mahatma Gandhi. She is a force to be reckoned with. She is the voice of Blikkiesdorp a settlement that was created to take the homeless and squatters off the street prior to the 2010 World Cup Soccer Championship that was held in Cape Town. The people living in Blikkies were forcibly removed and given tin shacks to live in. Sound familiar (Aparthied-this time separation by class.) The Novalis Institute was asked by the Mayor of Cape town to help with this eye soar of Cape Town.
During our visit to Blikkies, there was talk of a possible outbreak of Meningitis. Bernadette uses her cell phone to negotiate with government officials to draw attention to this crisis. She shares with us that the nearby hospital wants nothing to do with people from Blikkies. She takes her daughter to the hospital frequently to help her with respiratory problems developed from the metal in which her house is made of. One day Bern (her nickname) stated that she sat in the emergency waiting room and 5 people died right in front of her.
The sentiment is that the government does little to help with sick and elderly in hopes that the now 21,000 residents of Blikkies will simply die off. Children play on swing sets with no swings that are built on top of a hard rock surfaced ground. Electricity runs through the units but there is no running water inside the "units". One outdoor toilette is made available for very 4 dwellings.
Blikkie means "tin". Bern and her husband Ashey were given a computer and uses social media to bring light to the blight is Blikkiesdorp and uses that media as a weapon pointed at the government to shame them into creating change. On some levels that seems to be working. She will stress over and over that they are not interested in relying on the government, but the government should be aware that they are not willing to be put away and left to die.
BREATHE....
On the very day I left Cape Town, I spent a short time working with Robin Goff and care givers of individuals working with orphan children. During my portion of the presentation I introduced the group to EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) or tapping, which flowed well from Robin's work of healing touch. They tapped to my song "I Am Worthy of Love".
They affirmed "I love myself unconditionally" and "It's OK for me to receive." Bea Juris who works at Novalis and overseas programs for OVC (Orphans and Vulnerable Children) closed the day by reminding them that they are worthy and presented many of the workers with certificates of appreciation for the incredible work they do with children and youth.
In Closing....
My trip to South was the most amazing experience of my life. I have been noticeably transformed at depth. As I continued to practice being in the present moment and deep breathing through it all it aided me in dealing with the dichotomy of circumstances that make up South Africa. With all their challenges South Africa leads the world in environmental sustainability efforts.
I returned on Thanksgiving day. When I turned on the television Friday morning it was Black Friday and the news depicted shoppers rushing into Target and talk of "pepper spray". Immediately I shut the television off trying not to go into a place a judgement, which was not difficult to do.
Part of my shift in perception is that there are many many worldviews from where ever we happen to be on the planet. Somewhere in between insane greed and abject poverty lies a sea of humanity willing to give, produce, work, and celebrate the gift of being alive on a planet that is rich in substance, beauty and wonder.
With that, happy holidays, take NOTHING for granted and spend more time just being. Take time to practice deep breathing and simply take time to simply BE.
Love and Laughter
Bukeka
Videos and Images from RSE
A FUNNY moment of driving towards RSE and being faced by a herd of cattle "Oh my goodness".
Singing with kids at Liti's house The Universe is Calling and Guiermo singing Spirit is Alive while listening to the recording.
The Gogo's Sew
Garden along roadside
Solar energy panels on government housing
Social graffiti on the wall dividing RSE
Videos and Images from Blikkies
Asheleen who is in and out of hospital for respiratory problems
This YouTube clip is a South African group of classical singers visiting Blikkies to inspire and uplift. Many people who find out about Blikkiesdorp come to see for themselves and are moved to offer help and inspiration to the people that live there.
Final performing arts presentations on 11/20/11in Cape Town
Presentation by Solami and Mbuthi of a mother whose son has been shot and confined to a wheel chair. The son starts to drink and wants to die. The mother tries to inspire him and tells him to listen to a song by Bukeka and he begins to walk again. (Song: I'll Light a Candle in Your Name) WOW! How honoring was that? Totally. They wanted it to be a surprise.
Nomkhita and Aht performances
Above: Fezeka Choir Singing South African National Anthem, Below: Last day with caregivers at Novalis
Gallery
Young lady attending Jane's workshop that is demonstrating her vocal skills. Her favorite artist is country star Carrie Underwood.
Group Pic at Jane's Youth workshop
Bea Juris and Jane Simmons touring through Blikkes
From left to right Billy Domingo, me, and Mzawi at espAFRIKA next to Cape Town Jazz Festival Poster
Fron left to right Sive Msolo, Me, Mzwandile and Mandisi at Bush Community Radio 89.5
Penguin Bay...Yes there are penguins in South Africa
Cape Point...where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet
Bea Juris and Jane Simmons touring through Blikkes
From left to right Billy Domingo, me, and Mzawi at espAFRIKA next to Cape Town Jazz Festival Poster
Fron left to right Sive Msolo, Me, Mzwandile and Mandisi at Bush Community Radio 89.5
Penguin Bay...Yes there are penguins in South Africa
Novalis Founder, Ralph Shepherd, Novalis Director Anna-Lise Bure, Unity of the Hills in Austin, Tx, the lovely Maura Fallon and the woman who made it all happen, Executive Director of The Light Center Robin Goff, (www.lightcenter.info)
Saturday, December 3, 2011
The Surrender Adventure of a Life Time-SOUTH AFRICA pt 3 "The Choir"
Each day we seemed to end with the words "this was an amazing day". Before leaving for South Africa I was told that the Fezeka High School Choir wanted to learn the song that Rick Bacus and I wrote called "I'll Light a Candle in Your Name". When I played a YouTube link of them singing, I was amazed by their talent and their story.
Fezeka is located in a township of Cape Town called "Guguletu". When you think of the word "township", we're not talking country club. In South Africa a township refers to underdeveloped urban areas that were created during Apartheid in which blacks and non-whites were forcibly evicted from their homes to live in shelters often made out of metal. Guguletu is one of those townships.
In the YouTube link, I noticed that the school looked more like a prison than a school. The director of the choir mentioned in the video that arts and natural sciences was not part of the standard school curriculum. I was told that this is still the case in 2011 as these subjects are not directly related to what a person needs in order to have a regular job.
Mzandile (Mzawi for short) from Novalis was our escort to the high school and explained to us that the children were taking their year-end school exams (our winter is their summer). When we pulled up to the school it was just as I remembered from the video, an open yard surrounded by 3 brick buildings lined with classrooms. Some broken glass and a few kids kicking ball before the next class started. Everyone had on uniforms just as they did in the video.
Commonly before sharing our names we were introduced as "our guest from America". Robin Jane and I were escorted around to different classrooms and introduced to students. Finally we made it to the classroom where we would meet the choir. There we met a few students that work with Mzawi in youth theatrical programs, Aht, Mbuhti and Nomkhita. Then slowly but surely the choir members began to walk in. It appeared the director had been spending some time rounding them up (end of the school year...you can imagine). Soon everyone was present and the Mr. Tsewu gave a few words of introduction and then we began working on the song.
These kids learned so quickly. I would show them one time and they would have it down. I assigned a solo part to a young lady named Nolufefe. She was very shy but very confident as well. There was one note she was unsure of and another member of the choir offered to sing it with her. It was easy to tell that she was slightly disheartened.
It was Wednesday (Day 2) and many times Mr. Tsewu and Mzwai would discuss things in Xhosa with a mixture of English. We (the Americans) were lost. What was being discussed is the fact that we would be performing at Fezeka School's end of the year school party, which was on Friday. Thank God for fast learners. The rehearsal went so well, they wanted to learn another song so I taught them the title track to my current CD "Spirit is Alive". All I had to say to them was "do a three part harmony on the chorus" and they had it down easily. It was incredible.
After the rehearsal Mzwai gave us a tour of the Guguletu township. One of the sites is a monument dedicated to a group of seven young men that were murdered on March 3rd 1986 by apartheid security forces. They were each shot in the head along with multiple gunshot wounds. Another monument is for a girl named Amy Biehl. She was a student who had a huge heart for women in South Africa. On a Fulbright Fellowship she left for South Africa to attend University of Western Cape. She worked with leaders in organizations such as the African National Congress and other groups wanting a democratic and free South Africa.
So passionate about her work she didn't concern herself much with the color of her skin. One night she was murdered during a political mob rally by four men who were later convicted of the crime. A memorial in her honor stands in the Guguletu township where the killing took place and a foundation was established in her name. Surrounding these monuments were homes that in many cases were smaller than my modest living room and kitchen. I have several friends whose living rooms would equal 3 houses in Guguletu.
During rehearsal Robin Goff pointed out the lyric "I'll say a prayer that you are blessed beyond appearances" emphasizing the point that no matter what the outer conditions appear to be that a prayer would be made focusing the blessing. As we continued to ride through the township I looked at the housing conditions. These are the homes of the very talented students that I would be singing with. They truly are a blessing despite the conditions they live in which we see as impoverished or even hopeless.
The day of the performance arrived. Outside the community center was a dance and drumming group called Marimba who would later perform for the school party. I was interviewed by a local newspaper, the students gave a preview of their work to parents in an exhibit hall and then the concert and performing artists section was up. Spirit is Alive was the opening number and I'll Light a Candle in Your Name would be the finale'. Nolufefe came up to me and said "Bukeka I want to sing it by myself, but please don't tell my teacher". I told her I would tell him, but she begged be not to.
On Spirit Is Alive, the crowd went nuts. I was feeling like I had serious rock star status in front of a crowd of about 200 people. The other acts were comprised of students from Fezeka and they were so talented. There was modern dance, a short play about a family from Zimbabwe moving to Cape Town "where there are jobs man", and an African dance and drumming troop.
When we came to the finale' I asked "Fefe" if she was ready and she said "READY". We performed the song and got a standing ovation. We were only on Day 4 of our trip and we (the Americans) ended it by saying "this was an amazing day".
The video that introduced me to the Fezeka High School Choir
Choir Rehearsing I'll Light a Candle In Your Name
Monument of the Guguletu Seven
Some of the housing in Guguletu
Spirit is Alive with Fezeka Choir
The Marimba Dance Troop
I'll Light a Candle in Your Name (feat. Nolufee Mazokwana-send her some love on facebook and tell her to stay in school)
Fezeka is located in a township of Cape Town called "Guguletu". When you think of the word "township", we're not talking country club. In South Africa a township refers to underdeveloped urban areas that were created during Apartheid in which blacks and non-whites were forcibly evicted from their homes to live in shelters often made out of metal. Guguletu is one of those townships.
In the YouTube link, I noticed that the school looked more like a prison than a school. The director of the choir mentioned in the video that arts and natural sciences was not part of the standard school curriculum. I was told that this is still the case in 2011 as these subjects are not directly related to what a person needs in order to have a regular job.
Mzandile (Mzawi for short) from Novalis was our escort to the high school and explained to us that the children were taking their year-end school exams (our winter is their summer). When we pulled up to the school it was just as I remembered from the video, an open yard surrounded by 3 brick buildings lined with classrooms. Some broken glass and a few kids kicking ball before the next class started. Everyone had on uniforms just as they did in the video.
Commonly before sharing our names we were introduced as "our guest from America". Robin Jane and I were escorted around to different classrooms and introduced to students. Finally we made it to the classroom where we would meet the choir. There we met a few students that work with Mzawi in youth theatrical programs, Aht, Mbuhti and Nomkhita. Then slowly but surely the choir members began to walk in. It appeared the director had been spending some time rounding them up (end of the school year...you can imagine). Soon everyone was present and the Mr. Tsewu gave a few words of introduction and then we began working on the song.
These kids learned so quickly. I would show them one time and they would have it down. I assigned a solo part to a young lady named Nolufefe. She was very shy but very confident as well. There was one note she was unsure of and another member of the choir offered to sing it with her. It was easy to tell that she was slightly disheartened.
It was Wednesday (Day 2) and many times Mr. Tsewu and Mzwai would discuss things in Xhosa with a mixture of English. We (the Americans) were lost. What was being discussed is the fact that we would be performing at Fezeka School's end of the year school party, which was on Friday. Thank God for fast learners. The rehearsal went so well, they wanted to learn another song so I taught them the title track to my current CD "Spirit is Alive". All I had to say to them was "do a three part harmony on the chorus" and they had it down easily. It was incredible.
After the rehearsal Mzwai gave us a tour of the Guguletu township. One of the sites is a monument dedicated to a group of seven young men that were murdered on March 3rd 1986 by apartheid security forces. They were each shot in the head along with multiple gunshot wounds. Another monument is for a girl named Amy Biehl. She was a student who had a huge heart for women in South Africa. On a Fulbright Fellowship she left for South Africa to attend University of Western Cape. She worked with leaders in organizations such as the African National Congress and other groups wanting a democratic and free South Africa.
So passionate about her work she didn't concern herself much with the color of her skin. One night she was murdered during a political mob rally by four men who were later convicted of the crime. A memorial in her honor stands in the Guguletu township where the killing took place and a foundation was established in her name. Surrounding these monuments were homes that in many cases were smaller than my modest living room and kitchen. I have several friends whose living rooms would equal 3 houses in Guguletu.
During rehearsal Robin Goff pointed out the lyric "I'll say a prayer that you are blessed beyond appearances" emphasizing the point that no matter what the outer conditions appear to be that a prayer would be made focusing the blessing. As we continued to ride through the township I looked at the housing conditions. These are the homes of the very talented students that I would be singing with. They truly are a blessing despite the conditions they live in which we see as impoverished or even hopeless.
The day of the performance arrived. Outside the community center was a dance and drumming group called Marimba who would later perform for the school party. I was interviewed by a local newspaper, the students gave a preview of their work to parents in an exhibit hall and then the concert and performing artists section was up. Spirit is Alive was the opening number and I'll Light a Candle in Your Name would be the finale'. Nolufefe came up to me and said "Bukeka I want to sing it by myself, but please don't tell my teacher". I told her I would tell him, but she begged be not to.
On Spirit Is Alive, the crowd went nuts. I was feeling like I had serious rock star status in front of a crowd of about 200 people. The other acts were comprised of students from Fezeka and they were so talented. There was modern dance, a short play about a family from Zimbabwe moving to Cape Town "where there are jobs man", and an African dance and drumming troop.
When we came to the finale' I asked "Fefe" if she was ready and she said "READY". We performed the song and got a standing ovation. We were only on Day 4 of our trip and we (the Americans) ended it by saying "this was an amazing day".
The video that introduced me to the Fezeka High School Choir
Choir Rehearsing I'll Light a Candle In Your Name
Monument of the Guguletu Seven
The Amy Biehl Monument (The Amy Biehl Foundation)
Spirit is Alive with Fezeka Choir
The Marimba Dance Troop
I'll Light a Candle in Your Name (feat. Nolufee Mazokwana-send her some love on facebook and tell her to stay in school)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)