Our name symbolises renewal, energy, everlasting values and an image of gushing, tumbling streams coming together to create a mighty river, giving sustenance to many.
About us
The Legacy Project was conceptualised in the Champagne Valley of the Central Drakensberg as a partnership program with the Drakensberg Boys Choir School. It has run for the past 5 years, and due to its success, has now attracted funding to be replicated in Pietermaritzburg. In addition, the Penreach Outreach Programme and The Foundation of School Leadership provide guidance and mentorship.
The ISIPHETHU SOTHUKELA Project has demonstrated that initiating a choir in schools of impoverished areas can effect a 40% improvement in English Literacy. This project focuses on leadership development of principals and empowerment of teachers through mentorship, to upgrade Maths, Science and English teaching of learners already well-disciplined through choir participation. The Siyacula (“We Sing”) Music Festival celebrates progress annually in a joint concert with project partners.
To date, the Legacy Project has raised 3 full scholarships (R2M+) for a learner to attend DBCS for 4-5 years. One recipient, Sandiswa Mabele, from Nkosi Mjwayeli Primary School, is now in Grade 7 at DBCS, and Lonwabo Cele, from Sifisosethu, is now in Grade 6.
Role of music
It has been shown, through research and practice, that choral music education develops discipline, concentration, language ability, team spirit, leadership and a sense of achievement and community involvement.
Vision
The vision of this project is to improve the quality of education in our rural communities through leadership development and choral music. A second component of ‘developing’ schools is to focus on the young children within them. Cultivating excellence in students’ English, Mathematics and Science is key to the future of positive careers for children – creating the skills necessary for the future success of South Africa.
Mission
The mission of this project is to create effective, inspirational leaders through choral music. In addition, the use of impactful and constructive mentorship programmes for school leaders and teachers in key learning areas, will improve opportunities for the youth of rural KZN. While whole school improvement is the focus of the project, partnerships between schools, business and local communities are a necessary part of the initiative.
3 ESSENTIAL COMPONENTS
Principal Leadership
Development
In 2023, workshops covered Community Development, including a local community leader, facilitated by the Michaelhouse Community Partnership, Citizen Lab and Masivuselele NPC. Next year our focus will be on Child Trauma.
Music Teacher Empowerment
- The Legacy Project appoints a local conductor-trainer (usually volunteers or minimally compensated music teachers and/ or vocalists) who visit each school weekly or fortnightly (as the choir develops) to coach the choirs and their teachers in situ. Mbali Nkosi has been the conductor-in chief since 2022.
- The 10 teachers from the 5 schools received higher level coaching by qualified music teachers at Epworth and GHS (PMB) this past year, in preparation for the ABRSM exam, which was taken by all 5 less-resourced schools. The coaching sessions cover many aspects from conducting, rhythm and breathing, to basic routines, like warm up or filing in/out of a room!!
- Sessions offer enrichment of the music teaching experience and are worthy of CPD points.
Choir Establishment in
less-resourced schools
- Each school is assisted to establish a choir and then to empower the school’s own staff (2 teachers per school) to run the choirs in perpetuity, as outlined above.
- We now have a well-developed syllabus to achieve the outcomes for both Gr 3(involving an introduction to singing) and Gr 4-7 (involving chorister selection and choir establishment).
- Choirs are limited to 30 members, so that bus transport to festivals can be easily and affordably arranged.
- Once a year, the choirs celebrate their progress in the full day Siyacula Festival at Epworth. This involves 4-6 workshops through which all the choristers rotate during the morning, with a substantial breakfast on arrival and lunch afterwards, the highlight being the Siyacula concert.
- Participating schools may attend a local community festival each year, as opportunities and funds permit (eg Hilton Arts Festival, Festival in the Hills). Depending on progress, choirs are encouraged to participate in the ABRSM Initial Choral Examination. This year
- PSI Projects will continue to implement it, offering basic guidance of syllabus plus exam entries, and organise the Siyacula Festival.
Our partners
Drakensberg Boys Choir School
Hilbillies (Bruce and Charmaine Black)
RISE and PSI Projects
Pierre Carter (High Berg)
RISE UP (David and Zeenath Whitecomb
Masivuslele NPC
Bowwood and Vondeling Wines
ReWILD Africa
Ubuntu Partner Trust
Donate to the ISIPHETHU SOTHUKELA Project
Choirs To Improve English Literacy of 600 Children
Contact us
Tel: +27 (0)21 869 8179
Fax: +27 (0)86 666 8179
Mobile: +27 (0)72 418 0577
Email: md@psiprojects.co.za
Organisation information: K2011127140 trading as PSI Projects