Sing, Africa, Sing!
- GSGC
- Mar 23, 2017
- 4 min read
Updated: Jul 29
In early 2017, in a rural Zimbabwean orphanage some 15 kilometers from Victoria Falls, a small bedroom was being hastily prepared. Spare mattresses were leaned against the walls to muffle the echo of children’s voices. Strangers began arriving – some on foot, others by donkey cart – responding to a call.
The calling? To use music to help vulnerable girls be healed, inspired, and empowered!
As the weekend passed, the presence and leadership of a well-known musician made two things abundantly clear:
In the right environment, girls can bloom right before our eyes, and
The arts are a powerful instrument of change.
Nombasa Maqoko, an up-and-coming singer/songwriter based in South Africa, was the reason behind the gathering. She had agreed to lead a 2-day workshop named Sing, Africa, Sing! Twenty-one promising girls had been hand-picked from among clubs sponsored by the Global Sojourns Giving Circle (GSGC) and were thrilled to be present along with several of their mentors, known as Aunties.
Priscilla Macy, GSGC’s founder, had been inspired by Nombasa’s music when the artist performed at the National Arts Festival in South Africa, and felt a strong urge to approach her.
“Nombasa carried herself with such grace and had an incredible presence,” offered Priscilla. “Her music was new and original, and included a message of concern about fatherless families.”
Priscilla introduced herself “like a white, middle-aged groupie,” and later contacted Nombasa with a proposal. Connecting deeply with GSGC’s mission of empowering African girls, Nombasa generously volunteered to the lead the workshop.
Enjoy an interview with Nombasa
GSGC jumped into action! It was both a test of will and a leap of faith, as GSGC pitted limited resources against the desire to offer this experience to the girls they support. But with massive creativity and hard work, the event went off splendidly.
“Smokey came alive,” laughed Priscilla, referring to Smokey Dube, a GSGC representative who coordinated much of the event.
He and other volunteers even created a working sound studio in a small bedroom of the host orphanage – no small feat in rural Africa.
“The workshop began, quite literally on a high note,” said Smokey.
“This wasn’t the crowd that Nombasa is used to! Her first song, dedicated to her own years of living without a father and watching the struggles of her single mother, was powerful. There wasn’t a dry eye in the house.”
That’s one of the reasons GSGC chose to use music in this setting. Children growing up in challenging situations often don’t have words to express their feelings. Music can play a major role in helping them to move forward with courage and confidence. Some say they have used song lyrics almost like a mantra, and that music provided their only true peace.
With previous experience in Human Resources, Nombasa led a highly professional workshop that surpassed hopes and expectations. She taught the girls more than music, touching their quiet needs through her own emotional maturity and insight.
“She’s bright; she sees you,” said Priscilla. “Nombasa connects with each individual on a profound level.”
On the first day of the workshop, the awestruck girls, Aunties, and GSGC staff enjoyed an introduction to the basics of music theory, songwriting, and singing. Nombasa led the group in voice exercises, and even threw in a little team building.
“It was amazing to see the bond that formed among the participants, and to watch the girls soar,” added Smokey. “A song that Nombasa wrote as a gift for the GSGC girls included the words ‘We Matter’. It aligned perfectly with the empowerment message that we reinforce every day.”
Day 2
On Day Two, the girls raced against time to record a song in the hot and crowded makeshift studio. Thanks to a sound mixer and microphone donated by a GSGC supporter in Portland, Oregon, and Smokey’s quick learning curve in his new role of music producer, you can enjoy the recording here.
This event was a big step up from GSGC’s earlier forays into music. Last year, when working with a rather tense group of both girls and boys in Mfuwe, Smokey wanted a way to loosen them up. With the simplest of tools, the group wrote and recorded a song entitled “Higher, Higher”. While that song was perhaps not ready for prime time, working to record it relaxed the children and allowed them to later move into a challenging discussion of girls’ issues.
Nombasa’s group rose to a technically superior and more emotionally poignant level. And today the participants want to delve even deeper, inspiring other African girls through song. The girls’ not-so-secret wish is to lure Nombasa back at the end of 2017 to perform for her again – a testament to how they have grown.
GSGC extends deepest thanks to Nombasa Moqoko and to all who contributed, including: Africa Travel for providing necessary airport transfers; Africa Albida for accommodations at the luxurious Lokuthula Lodge; the LookOut Café for much-appreciated lunch and refreshments; and Rose of
Charity for opening their doors as the venue site.
Hear the girls’ recorded song.
Meet Nombasa Maqoko in this very personal interview.
And stay tuned for what is to come!
