Ayamaah girls delight at year-end concert
SIPHELELE NDZAMELA
| TRADITIONALLY AWARE: Ayamaah girls show off their traditional dance moves as they kick-start a year-end concert at Kuyasa Combined School Picture: SIPHELELE NDZAMELA |
PARTICIPANTS in a grooming programme for young girls had a chance to shine at a year-end concert held at Kuyasa Combined School last Wednesday 31 October.
The concert was organised by Round Table/Talk of the Town Miss Port Alfred 2nd princess, Khanyisa Daweti, who started the Ayamaah grooming programme to help young girls realise their dreams.
| PROUD MOMENTS: Among the guests at a year-end concert at Kuyasa Combined School last week were (from left) Phumla Mtshelu, DA councillor Terri Stander, Kowie Fm radio DJ Patrick "Dodo” Shuping, Ntombizanele Daweti, Round Table/Talk of the Town Miss Port Alfred 2nd princess Khanyisa Daweti, Sandy Maclachlan and Reverend Mandla Mkele, with Rotary president Colin Maclachlan at the back Picture: SIPHELELE NDZAMELA |
Daweti said the idea of the grooming programme came about in 2009 and was finally implemented in June this year.
The programme also aims to help the young girls with their homework and assist them with subjects that they are struggling with.
Daweti says her relationship with these young girls is "something else”.
"We just talk about everything, help one another with homework and any other thing that girls talk about,” she said.
This year she decided to take a "leap of faith” as she felt that it was time for her to grow, and since 2012 is a leap year.
The concert was officially opened by parent and community member Thandeka Manyati, with an opening prayer, and the MCs for night were Nomaqocwa Ngqele and Sisa Jauka.
The first act was a beautiful praise poem performed by Zenakhane Jaha, about the killer disease HIV/Aids that is "killing our young nation”.
This was followed by a traditional dance that had the audience standing on their feet and screaming throughout the performance.
They organised and collaborated everything themselves "all I did was to instil confidence in them,” Daweti said.
Living in the dusty streets of Ndlovini in Nemato does not mean that your dreams won't come true, she said.
"Right here we in this room we have aspiring doctors, nurses, social workers and lawyers.”
Daweti said one particular girl stood out for her when asked what her aspirations were, as she replied that she wants to become the president of South Africa one day.
"I will not rest until these girls' dreams come true,” said Daweti, not forgetting to emphasise the value and importance of education which is one of Daweti's greatest passions.
Among the guests were Port Alfred Rotary president Colin Maclachlan and his wife Sandy. The event was also blessed with the presence of Reverend Mandla Mkele.
Mkele took centre stage to give a few words of wisdom, also quoting a verse from the book of Exodus chapter 2, verses 3-4.
"I am very happy to see a girl as young as Khanyisa playing such a big role in grooming the future leaders of this country,” Mkele said.
Kowie Fm radio personality, Patrick "Dodo” Shuping also graced the stage, empowering the people with his wise words.
The Ayamaah girls performed an admirable play which they put together on their own.
There was a lot of singing and dancing, with different genres of dance to the melodic sounds of African music.
Councillor Terri Stander highlighted the importance of knowing where we come from and the role it plays in shaping our future, reflecting on some events during the liberation struggle.
With the audience already enthusiastic, the heat was turned up when the girls a performed beautiful set ballroom dance partnered by their fellow male schoolmates.
At the end of the event, certificates were handed out to the Ayamaah girls and they were each surprised with a gift sponsored by Leach Pharmacy.
The gift consisted of a beanie and two hand and nails creams.
Mkele closed the spectacular night with a prayer.
