Great indigenous music, unique musical instruments from clay, great networking opportunities and the symbolism of Freedom Day will unite this coming Sunday to provide a unique experience on the musical calendar.
Veteran ethno-musicologist Trevor Sampson will be showcasing ceramic musical instruments produced at a local social enterprise at the event, called “The Sound of the Ground” (16:00, 28 April, Bo-Kaap Museum, CPT). Tickets are R60 each, and available at www.webtickets.co.za.
Various local councilors as well as representatives of social enterprise networks have confirmed their presence, as have a variety of music lovers and entrepreneurs.
“We are extremely excited about sharing our music and our approach to business with Capetonians. And with so many decision makers in the social enterprise field present, the event promises to be an electrifying celebration of the power of social enterprise,” says Johan de Meyer, manager at Proudly Macassar Pottery.
“The event showcases the way ordinary people take hands and work together to empower, upskill and create employment.”
All proceeds will go to Proudly Macassar Pottery, a social enterprise that is using the clay process to upskill and employ unskilled youth.
Clay instruments explained
Trevor will showcase a range of musical instruments made of clay (African Ocarina flutes and UDU drums).
The pottery has created a unique range of musical instruments – all made from clay. Instead of re-creating traditional West-African UDU instruments, they have created something fresh: A traditionally African percussive instrument with a modern application. At their studio, the well-known ocarina has evolved into the African Ocarina – a unique instrument with a hauntingly beautiful tone.
These instruments have already landed in the hands of a number of local musicians and producers, and have been used on recordings projects – including music recorded at Lausanne’s Cape Town conference in 2010 and recordings done by various local artists.
Proudly Macassar Pottery
The pottery is all about friendship-based intervention into situations where poverty and a lack of skills abound. It is about building bridges to isolated communities and building on their potential.
“It is very appropriate for us at Proudly Macassar Pottery that our music event takes place on the day after freedom day, and at such an emotionally charged venue, where the history of marginalised people is remembered,” he explains.
“What a way to celebrate the possibilities for good in South Africa! Come and celebrate freedom with us – not just politically, but the freedom that comes when friends take hands and set their minds to rebuild the ruins of our communities into something vibrant and beautiful!”
The business has created 4 sustainable jobs so far, and that is but the beginning, says Johan.
“There is much more to our story. Lives are being changed. Youths are earning back their own dignity, by learning that what they put in, is what they get out. I am proud of this venture. I trust that what we do will inspire you too, to remain proudly South African.”
The business itself is the transformation tool. Youths are involved in every aspect of the business, giving them the opportunity to be upskilled, to discover and practice their strengths in a real-world, sustainable, working business.
www.facebook.com/ProudlyMacassarPottery
Martin Myers 
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