EDUCATION AFRICA WINS THE GOLDEN SHIELD HERITAGE AWARD IN THE CATEGORY OUTSTANDING COMMUNITY PROJECT
The National Heritage Council (NHC) of South Africa honoured champions who work selflessly to make the country proud of its African heritage at an awards evening held on 18 September 2015. The objective of this event is to recognise the contribution of individuals, groups or organisations/academic institutions towards preserving South African heritage.
Education Africa received the Outstanding Community Project Award, selected from one of The NHC’s well-executed beneficiary projects funded in the past. Projects need to reflect best practice in promotion, preservation, conservation and/or interpretation of our heritage.
The Award was awarded to Education Africa’s PHAMBILI MARIMBA – a marimba hub that is part of the organisation’s International Arts & Culture Project. This marimba hub was started in Reiger Park, and Education Africa trains teachers and teaches children how to play the marimbas. Education Africa also produced a book entitled 33 Marimba Arrangements Celebrating South Africa’s 11 Official Languages.
The power of marimbas in bringing people together, facilitating social cohesion and educating the child holistically, cannot be disputed. This is evidenced by the work Education Africa has done over many years through:
- Initiating marimba hubs in disadvantaged communities;
- Taking marimba bands from these communities on once-in-a-lifetime tours overseas to perform to a global audience; as well as
- Providing entry into the annual Education Africa International Marimba and Steelpan Festival.
The John Wesley Community Band, which is part of Education Africa’s Phambili Marimba Hub, entertained guests as they arrived at the event. The band members cheered as Joan Lithgow, Education Africa’s music specialist, accepted the Award.
