The Western Cape schools excelled in both the primary and secondary sections of the competition and were the champions in five categories, obtained six second positions and five third positions!
This eisteddfod is the biggest musical event for schools organized by the Department of Education and schools from all nine provinces compete in 31 categories, which include solo performances, small ensembles and choral items.
This annual showpiece was attended by the Minister of Education Ms Naledi Pandor and several MECs, including MEC Cameron Dugmore. The Dutch Embassy generously contributed towards the funding of the event.
Said MEC Dugmore: "Music and the arts in education have an important role to play in providing our learners not only with the necessary skills and knowledge, but also with healthy value systems and sound attitudes towards life.
"Studies have shown that 41% of those who matriculated over the last three years are still looking for employment. This means that we have a huge task to ensure that many more young people are employable.
"Through our Human Capital Development Strategy, we want to ensure that many more learners acquire knowledge and practical skills to contribute to growing our economy - as part of the Accelerated and Shared Growth Initiative - AsgiSA.
"Our draft music in education strategy is based on six key pillars. First of all, we already have three existing music centres, which need to be strengthened. They are the Beau Soleil, Hugo Lamprecht and Frank Pietersen music centres.
"Secondly; the WCED has thirty-nine dance posts allocated to the Curriculum Development Directorate established under the care of Senior Curriculum Planners.
"The posts are allocated annually across all EMDC regions. These posts form a learning pathway for learners who have an interest or talent in dance and to prepare them for selecting Dance Studies as a subject in FET (Grades 10 - 12).
"There is a shortage of qualified dance teachers and arts and culture teachers and there are many career opportunities in the workplace for learners with a good dance background.
"High schools receive a full-time post so that the dance teachers can prepare the Grade 8 and 9 learners in a Dance Specific Learning Pathway in Arts and Culture, to prepare them for taking dance as a subject from Grades 10 - 12.
"A third pillar of the proposed strategy would be that we must strengthen our support for our nine Arts and Culture Focus Schools, making sure that the music learning area is linked to economic opportunity.
"Fourthly; all our high schools now have computer labs. We are looking at installing appropriate music software, to provide learners with digital composition and editing skills.
"Fifthly; the WCED has just bought the building of the ex-Cric building - the Career and Resource Centre, which was an educational development NGO. This building will house an Institute for Contemporary Music, linked with our Cape Town College. A second such institute is to be established in George, linked with the Southern Cape College.
"Lastly; the production of our Western Cape School Songbook, intended to promote unity among our schools in the Western Cape, is at an advanced stage. Some of the songs compiled in the book, are contributions from schools and learners.
"To the learners who have performed so outstandingly, I want to say: you provide hope for many others who struggle with the challenges of poverty and crime. Congratulations!"
The categories of winners are as follows:
| Intermediate Phase Choirs: | |
| De Vrije Zee Primary School : | First position: Own Choice |
| Isikhokelo Primary School : | Third position: Afrikaans |
| Siyosile Primary School : | First position: African |
| Siyazingisa Primary School : | Second position: Mixed Double Quartet |
| Senior Phase Choirs: | |
| Lwandle Primary School : | Second Position: English |
| Sakumlandela Primary School : | Second Position: African |
| Hlengisa Primary School : | Third Position: Girls Choir |
| Further Education Training Schools/Colleges: | |
| Fezeka Secondary School : | First Position: Boys Choir |
| Luhlaza Secondary Schools: | First Position: Girls Choir |
| Second Position: Small Ensembles | |
| Third Position: Mezzo Soprano Solo | |
| Simon Estes Secondary School : | First Position: Baritone Solo |
| Sithembele Matiso: | Second Position: African |
| Second Position: HIV/Aids | |
| Joe Slovo Secondary School : | Third Position: Afrikaans |
| Manzomthombo Secondary School : | Third Position: English |
For enquiries:
Gert Witbooi
Media Liaison Officer
Office of the MEC for Education
Western Cape
Tel: 021 467 2523
Fax: 021 425 5689
Email: gwitbooi@pgwc.gov.za
Visit our website: http://wced.wcape.gov.za
