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The root of Badimo Jazz Band.

Not all members could show up for the interview, however, one member of the band was sent to represent it. Phillip Ngobeni, said in the interview conducted by Obakeng that he started with the drums and after a while he took the guitar as his main instrument because he sighted that it gives him more pleasure. He says that he learned from the band leadership skills and how to work under pressure.

Badimo Jazz Band mentor David Ngobeni, on the picture, has been involved in music over the past 35 years. Phillip describes how him and other family members used to follow him to rehearsals and concerts over the years before they suggested to him that they should get their own instruments and join him. His eldest son Elinton, who was named after the international jazz legend Duke Elinton was sent to Crescendo Music College in Johannesburg.

This was after his father notice how the young man was killing the keyboard during a performance at a night club.

Badimo has recorded three (3) albums and a live DVD under their name and currently they are working on their fourth album. The repertoire includes swing, jazz standard and afro sounds. They hosted a music workshop at the municipality hall at Mathibestad on the 24th of April to give back to the community.

Bonolo “Karishma”, the Rising star.

Connect with her

We had a wonderful visit from Karishma who is currently a student at TUT (Tshwane University of Technology) on the 28th of March and fleetingly, our Journo, Obakeng Maimane had a conversation with her and she was kind enough to share with us her BIOGRAPHY:

Bonolo Motileng is a dancer, master of ceremonies, musician and actor who was born on the 3rd of October in 2002. She started her journey by dancing and singing at the age of 10.

In grade 11 she joined a record label called Letona Entertainment. She became an MC and mastered her art performance. In 2019 she released her first track called “5 Years Ago” that hit a lot of viewers. She then became the well-known local female artist. Bonolo’s work was recognised by a lot of famous people such as Plee & Tusca, Seven Step, Lovers and Zing Master who collaborated with her.

She got motivated and decided to further her interest on implementing her performing art career. She was then accepted at TUT Arts and Design campus. She did her higher certificate qualification in 2022 and is graduating on the 25th of May 2023. She plans to further her music career by adding a diploma qualification.

She is a proud citizen of Makapanstad; hence, she is volunteering at our organisation, Tsholofelo Ya Sechaba Community Centre.

Her thoughts about Tsholofelo Ya Sechaba Community Centre

During her visit at the centre, she volunteered as a facilitator. In her conversation with Obakeng, she spoke about her experience during the visit and said that she learned that everyone is unique and that one has to be patient, have understanding and be accommodative when working with people. This enables us to share personal but related problems for support and growth as experienced at the centre.

Affirmation, inviting positive thinking and creative mindset.

Our Team Leader came up with a way to motivate the kids and help them develop a positive mindset. I think it is common that in order to accomplish and become the greater version of yourself you need to always have a positive mindset. The affirmation goes like this “I choose to feel confident right now. And remember that I can do anything that I set my mind to. I am a good kid! No matter what anyone says. So, I choose to believe in myself and allow confidence into my body and mind. I am a good kid, so I choose to feel confident right now”.

Starting a month on a high note with a Teddy bear challenge!

April begun on a high note, our team leader, Tsholofelo “Zebra” Pitse felt an urge to not only challenge but allow the kids to explore their creative side. And also, encouraged every person who was present to participate.

The kids of Tsholofelo Ya Sechaba Community Centre along with facilitators were challenged to create a teddy bear using the materials that was available at the centre. At the end of the activity three winners was selected and they were given trophies, Onthatile Majatladi, one of our facilitators, came third in the competition. She was followed by her little sister, Amogelang Majatladi, who got the second place. Lastly, the winner of the challenge was Arabang Pitse, for the best Teddy Bear.

The picture you see shows Onthatile Majatladi on the left side, Amogelang Majatladi on the centre, and Arabang Pitse on the right side each holding the price and teddy bear.

They each received an award (trophies) for their remarkable work and their commitment to the challenge. All participants will be awarde with certificates for their outstanding participation.

Overall, it was a successful activity for the day. And, one of those activities we hope will be remembered for this year, with plans of doing another challenge like this in future.

Seaparankwe Makapanstad Clinic

On the 19th of April 2023, we got to talk to Grace Rametse, the operational manager of the clinic, about the services rendered at the clinic. A clinic that we’ve been working with here (at Makapanstad where our centre operates), the main clinic locally that has been around for many years.

We thought it would be good to learn more about the clinic and share some of the details to the audience. However, due to disclosure and privacy measures we are only able to share limited information, those that is available to the general public.

Grace was only able to share the following information;

The services rendered include doctor’s services of which the doctor comes in 5 days a week, an occupational physio, and a psychologist who help with mental health and an outreach team that goes out and traces patients that are not well, and also helps out old people in the community where help is needed.

To contact the clinic, you can use the following information;