Bruce Whitfield's latest book 'The One Thing to fix SA' is made up of more than 100 essays from a wide range of South Africans who all want a better future. In this excerpt, Bruce spoke to Ralf Schmitt who was instrumental in creating The Ndlovu Youth Choir.
What value could a choir master from a West Rand government school possibly bring to a debate on saving the country? In January 2009, Ralf Schmitt was instrumental in creating The Ndlovu Youth Choir, which was established as an afterschool music programme in the Moutse Valley in Dennilton, Limpopo. The mission was to provide a level of artistic education to rural children that was only available in more affluent areas.
Initially aimed at younger children, it soon became apparent that older participants, who had received a poor primary education, were left without any opportunities to further their education or find employment. Through their participation in the music programme, Ralf Schmitt saw the potential to generate an income in the creative economy, and transformed the choir into a professional ensemble that has become a proud South African cultural export.
"The Ndlovu Youth Choir's story highlights the transformative power of music education, particularly in often neglected or forgotten rural communities. With effective management, the appropriate skills, and adequate facilities, it is possible to replicate the Ndlovu blueprint and establish globally competitive institutions in both rural and urban areas. We will not be reinventing the wheel, and the success of Russia and China's conservatory systems and Cuba and Venezuela's El Sistema state-funded programmes have demonstrated that investment, disciplined training and education in the arts from an early age can produce world-class artists, providing a pathway out of poverty whilst contributing to the country's cultural and economic export, and development.
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The state-run Russian conservatory system and China's extensive network of music conservatories have nurtured some of the world's most renowned musicians. Pianists Lang Lang and Yuja Wang are distinguished alumni of Chinese conservatoires, while Russian conservatories have produced eminent composers such as Sergei Rachmaninoff, Dmitri Shostakovich, and the renowned conductor Vladimir Ashkenazy. Not to mention the world-renowned Bolshoi Ballet.
At the same time, Venezuela's El Sistema has inspired a global movement, offering free classical music education to hundreds of thousands of children and fostering not only musical skills but also social cohesion and personal and community development. Many El Sistema graduates have gone on to perform with prestigious orchestras worldwide, highlighting the programme's success in creating professional opportunities.
If I were president with unlimited powers for 30 minutes, I would implement a national roll-out of a comprehensive music and artistic education programme for young children based on Venezuela's Sistema programme. Upon identifying talented individuals, these children would have the opportunity to further their studies at state-of-the-art conservatories similar to those in Russia and China.
This strategy would cultivate a wide range of artistic skills and equip students with the expertise needed to generate income both locally and internationally, thereby fostering economic growth through the creative arts. Preserving African culture and art will be a core focus of all studies. Central to this initiative would be the conviction that access to high-quality artistic education is a right, not a privilege, particularly for disadvantaged communities.
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Perhaps closer to home, we can draw inspiration from Guinea. Les Ballets Africains is a beautiful example of a state-funded programme that has provided employment and cultural preservation and served as a proud cultural export. Founded in 1952, the troupe continues to showcase Guinea's rich cultural heritage worldwide. Our economy is built on the export of minerals and metals. However, we have an untapped cultural wealth filled with undiscovered rough diamonds in the arts waiting for their opportunity to take on the world.
The Ndlovu Youth Choir's journey from a small rural childcare programme to international acclaim is a testament to the transformative power of artistic education in South Africa. Additionally, I would use my sweeping presidential powers to institute a new law requiring DJs to be accompanied by at least three instrumentalists at all performances. I will also instruct my Minister of Arts and Culture to ensure that all spinning events include live entertainment."
- That was an excerpt from author Bruce Whitfield's third book 'The One Thing to fix SA,' which is published by Pan MacMillan.
