ESTABLISHMENT
Uviwe Senior Secondary School Choir, shortly know as Uviwe Choir was founded in 1997 by a group of students, most of whom used to sing in various church choirs. As a result of their love for choral music, they felt a need for a school choir to be established. Since then, until recently, Uviwe Choir did not have a qualified music teacher. From the first year, the choir was trained and
prepared for the schools’ eisteddfods by two fellow students. In the following year, the students continued with the choir training and were compensated by the School Governing Body (SGB). In 2001, they were snatched by nearby schools that were willing to pay them better remunerations, thus the SGB had to look for other people who could assist with the choir training from the community. This continued until 2004, when the school employed a teacher who had studied music at university. In 2009 another teacher, who had also studied music, volunteered his services at the school. In 2010, he was employed on a temporary basis by the Department of Basic Education (DBE). When asked, at the interviews, what had stimulated him to want to join the staff of Uviwe, the teacher audaciously asserted, “Since my years as a student at this school, throughout my training at university, I had Uviwe and its choir in my heart.” This became apparent as the passion that the teacher had for music started to manifest in students too. Presently, the choir is trained and conducted by a young and multi-talented Mr Sinethemba Sonanze, a gentleman originating from Alexandria, Cacadu District. About three of the former members of the choir are currently studying towards Bachelor of Music at the University of Fort Hare, East London. OBJECTIVES
For any organisation to be successful, it ought to have objectives that it will work to fulfil. Likewise, Uviwe Choir has own objectives that are in harmony with the mission of the school. Below is a list of such objectives:
• To develop the students into better citizens. Music participation
emphasises the ability to work with others as a member of a team. It teaches the importance of cooperative effort, acceptance of leader-
ship and the need for discipline and responsibility.
• To help students achieve self-realisation through participation in the
music programmes. Some results should be artistic experience,
emotional development, creative attitudes, skill and knowledge,
physical and mental health, mental stimulation, leisure time activity,
self-expression, spiritual development, and personality develop-
ment.
• To make students aware of the possibilities music offers as a career
in the fields of radio, television, teaching, therapy, and many other
fields. ACHIEVEMENTS
Since its establishment, Uviwe Choir has achieved a great deal. Below is a list of some of the achievements-
• One of the founder members went on to study music at university and
later came back to work at the school.
• Starting in 1997 to date, without missing a single year, Uviwe Choir
has been participating in the Department of Education-organised
school choir competition, Tirisano (presently referred to as ABC
Motsepe Schools Eisteddfod) and won numerous trophies. The has
done well in this festival that in 2011, they reached provincial
eliminations, where they became runners-up to the ultimate winners
of that year.
• In 2010, when Hemingways Mall was officially opened, the choir
entertained the guests at the Billiton Construction Limited-organised
gala event held at Pick & Pay Supermarket.
• On 26 May 2011, the choir made their debut at the Afrikaans Taal en
Kultuurvereniging (ATKV) Applous competition (Border Regional
festival) held in Stirling Primary School and obtained a Gold
Certificate. Since then until presently, Uviwe Choir have been
regular participant at the competition.
• In 2013, after obtaining a Gold Certificate at a festival held in
Strelitzia high School, Uitenhage, the choir was invited to the Gala
Evening (finals) of the ATKV Applous that was held in Sand du
Plessis Theatre in Bloemfontein, where they obtained a Silver
Certificate.
• Uviwe Choir also participated, for three years, in the “Music in the
Park”, a concert that was held annually for East London senior
citizens at ‘The Valley’ in Berea, starting from March 2010 to March
2012.
