ZIWAPHI • VOL 4 NO 15 • 9-22 July 2010
NELSPRUIT
Passersby on the main road in Bhejukufa Trust near Kabokweni, Mpumalanga, often stop as they hear the sounds of musical instruments coming from a garage in the street.
Inside this makeshift studio, 12 students between the ages of 7 and 17 are practising to play instruments such as violins, bass guitars, pianos, harmonicas and trumpets.
Apart from their teacher, Ernest Tembene, their only audience is a Toyota bakkie that's parked there most of the time.
Tembene (41) says he's always wanted to open a school of music to impart his skills and knowledge to others.
"I started the school in 2004 to teach children and adults with a love of music both theory and the practical side of musical instruments," says Tembene.
"I have kids who come from far and near who appreciate the free lessons they get. I've also approached a local home-based care centre to send me their orphans so that I can teach them how to play musical instruments."
Tembene obtained his diploma in classic instrumental music, majoring in piano, in his hometown of Maputo, Mozambique.
Apart from teaching music, this giving heart is also involved in coaching teachers whose school choirs are taking part in competitions in the Nkomazi and Ehlanzeni regions' school circuits.
"I give workshops to teachers who conduct primary and high school choirs, and I also train the choirs, if necessary."
According to Tembene, many students give up too easily when they cannot master an instrument quickly.
"Some quit at the early stages of practice because they are frustrated that they cannot master everything in one go. A person needs to be dedicated - it takes at least three months to learn an instrument's theory and another six months to perfect playing an instrument."
Although he mainly plays the piano, Tembene tries to provide as many different instruments as possible to his students.
"I use money from my own pocket to rent the instruments from my friends," he explains.
To sustain himself and the school, Tembene performs part-time at hotels and weddings, and he's also an electrician.
"I love seeing one of my students excel musically with the help of the skills and knowledge that I imparted to them," he says.
One of his students is 13-year-old Mduduzi Mokoena from KaNyamazane, whose father has brought him to his violin and harmonica lessons for the past three years.
"I chose these two instruments because I enjoy playing them the most. I have learnt that with music there is a lot to learn other than just playing an instrument - you must also know the theory. I want to go places and be a top performer just like my teacher," Mduduzi says.
Classes at Ernest's music school run daily from 9am until 4pm, and everyone is welcome.
A music school where everyone is welcome!
Ernest (pan flute) with some of his students: Themba Sengwayo (acoustic guitar), Senzo Nkosi (bass guitar) Junior Ngobe (no instrument), Given Mkhabela (trumpet) and Tembene's son, Valenti, (percussion instrument)