A highlight of the school year for St. Matthews School, Moroka is the end-of-year Concert produced and performed by all the students of the project to entertain with much appreciation all their parents, friends and benefactors. The 2011 Concert, held in Regina Mundi Church on Sunday afternoon 16th October, was a delightful experience of music and dance, of a production of very high quality and variety – all brought together with seamless choreography to create a brilliant and most enjoyable afternoon of entertainment.

Little pupils of Grades 1 and 2 proudly opened the Concert with their recorder groups.

The programme burst into life with one of the Marimba groups beating out the rhythms of Africa with astonishing skill and passion. In contrast, came a performance by the TKM Orchestra who treated the audience to lovely light classical and some traditional music.  As the programme progressed, groups from the orchestra performed pieces for flute and for clarinet. One of the most beautiful and moving items was that presented by two young vocalists who sang Handel’s Largo with the orchestra. After they had finished there was one precious moment of silence followed by thunderous applause.

Troops of dancers moved smoothly into the music programme at intervals and engaged in a variety of intricate dances with precision and spirit which added still another dimension to the overall spectacle.

The words of Plato “Music and rhythm find their way into the secret places of the soul”, surely rang true for every member of Sunday’s audience. When at the end of the concert all joined with the two hundred students of the TKM project to sing the national anthem Nkosi Sikelel’i Africa, God’s rich blessings on Africa were made visible to all in the enthusiasm, pride and joy of the whole community of Regina Mundi that afternoon.

Sr. Berchmans Dowling and a young violinist 

Background history of the TKM Project:
The Thabang Ka Mmino Music and Cultural Project was launched in March 2003 with just Marimba groups and recorder groups, through the vision of Sr. Berchmans Dowling who was teaching in St. Matthews High School. As she tells it, Sr. Berchmans was motivated by her understanding of two realities: firstly the lack of facilities for extra-mural activities for young people in Soweto meant that almost their only option for socialising was to get involved in gangs, drugs, abuse of alcohol, or similar destructive activities. Secondly, and even more strongly, she was motivated by her appreciation of the talent and love for music and the arts which is the rich heritage and endowment of every African child. Sr. Berchmans wanted to open an opportunity for students to develop and use their gifts creatively in music, dance and art.

The progress of the project over eight years has been quite extraordinary. As the children progressed, as other musical instruments were added, dance and art were also introduced. Where, when and how does all take place? Every Saturday morning, St. Matthews School is a veritable hive of activity for all the groups –Marimba, dance, orchestra and art: the enthusiasm of the students is tangible.

One interesting feature of the project is that all the teachers, with the exception of the conductor and the choreographer, are senior students of St. Matthews School. Their dedication and talents are admirable. Sr. Berchmans is Co-Ordinator of the whole project and her vision, expertise, hard work and joy are what keep her going and she always works with that foresight of creating a body of support in all aspects of the project to ensure its sustainability.

Here are some spontaneous answers from students who were asked “Why do you come to the Project every Saturday morning?”
Art is a passion to me. The thing that makes me come here every Saturday is because when I am not drawing I feel alone and like there is no future and no past, and I feel free.  –  Nhlanhla 

I  come to learn about music. I love music because it is in me. It relaxes my mind and it’s in me. It’s a way of life and it makes me free from all wrong thoughts and that’s why I love music. It’s my soul.  – Anonymous 

I love to dance and I come to dance every Saturday because with dance I get to understand my body more. It helps me to communicate with my inner self and everyone around me. It’s also part and parcel of what I want to be and do when I grow up – I want to help people understand their body language. Dance is one of the most important things that has happened in my life.   – Ayanda

Evangelist Quinlan rsm
South African Province