PUPILS at an impoverished rural school in one of the most remote parts of Ntabankulu jet off to Switzerland tomorrow on a cultural exchange programme.
About 20 pupils, who form part of Dumezweni Senior Secondary School’s choir from Bomvini village, will spend almost two weeks abroad where they will showcase their Pondo culture.
The trip was made possible by Impulse, a Switzerland-based non-governmental organisation, which will foot the travelling and accommodation costs for the group.
Impulse has over the years sent a group from Switzerland to perform in the annual Pondo Culture and Heritage Festival, which was initiated in 2006.
The festival was preceded by a visit to Switzerland by Nkosi Jongilanga Sigcau, who heads the Lwandlolubomvu Traditional Council, according to the festival director, who is also a member of the royal house, Princess Stella Sigcau.
“He came back with a vision for this partnership,” she said.
The Dumezweni choir will perform and record music with top choirs in Switzerland while also showcasing the Pondo culture through traditional dance and song.
Sigcau described the visit as historic, saying it would be the first time a choir from the AmaMpondo Kingdom would travel to Switzerland.
School principal David Nogaya, who will accompany the group, along with choir conductor Sivatho Ngconjana and education development officer Wilmot Zondani, said the trip would help boost the morale of the pupils.
“We are all happy to be going there as ambassadors of the Mpondo culture and we will do our best not to disappoint,” he added.
Ngconjana said the students were excited at the prospect of travelling overseas. Grade 11 pupil Lusanele Diko, 19, said he was nervous about flying for the first time. “Believe it or not, I am actually more nervous about flying than the prospect of going to a foreign country,” he said.
Classmate Ncumisa Mabovu, 23, said the trip would help build confidence. — sikhon@dispatch.co.za
Choir jets off to Switzerland
About 20 pupils, who form part of Dumezweni Senior Secondary School’s choir from Bomvini village, will spend almost two weeks abroad where they will showcase their Pondo culture.
The trip was made possible by Impulse, a Switzerland-based non-governmental organisation, which will foot the travelling and accommodation costs for the group.
Impulse has over the years sent a group from Switzerland to perform in the annual Pondo Culture and Heritage Festival, which was initiated in 2006.
The festival was preceded by a visit to Switzerland by Nkosi Jongilanga Sigcau, who heads the Lwandlolubomvu Traditional Council, according to the festival director, who is also a member of the royal house, Princess Stella Sigcau.
“He came back with a vision for this partnership,” she said.
The Dumezweni choir will perform and record music with top choirs in Switzerland while also showcasing the Pondo culture through traditional dance and song.
Sigcau described the visit as historic, saying it would be the first time a choir from the AmaMpondo Kingdom would travel to Switzerland.
School principal David Nogaya, who will accompany the group, along with choir conductor Sivatho Ngconjana and education development officer Wilmot Zondani, said the trip would help boost the morale of the pupils.
“We are all happy to be going there as ambassadors of the Mpondo culture and we will do our best not to disappoint,” he added.
Ngconjana said the students were excited at the prospect of travelling overseas. Grade 11 pupil Lusanele Diko, 19, said he was nervous about flying for the first time. “Believe it or not, I am actually more nervous about flying than the prospect of going to a foreign country,” he said.
Classmate Ncumisa Mabovu, 23, said the trip would help build confidence. — sikhon@dispatch.co.za
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending Now
Latest Videos