BY PHUMZILE NDLOVU
MBABANE – A great initiative by The Jazz Gallery to raise funds for a special needs school.
The Jazz Gallery will host a fundraising concert for Ekwetsembeni Special School in Mbabane on March 22 this year. The concert will be held at the British High Commission Residence No. 15 at the Royal Villas.
The show, dubbed Jazz Meets Opera at The Residence, will kick off at 7pm. The dress code is operatic or jazzy.
When reached for comment, Nelisa Lawton shared with this publication that they have been visiting Ekwetsembeni School every Thursday as part of their programme. “We have been visiting the school every Thursday to teach music to the children who have special needs. We have been running the programme for a while. We also play music for them; we have now even formed a choir with some of the students,” Lawton said.
Lawton went on to add that they spotted at least 17 students who are interested in music. “The funds we will raise at the concert are for buying music equipment like the PA system, drums, guitars, and keyboards for the students.” Lawton revealed to this publication that the school houses at least 110 students who all have special needs.
The artists, who will perform at the fundraising concert, are:
1. Tengesihle (opera)
2. iYA
3. Samantha Rudd
4. Msimisi Sithole
5. Ceceboy (opera)
6. Sophia Kollofel
On the instruments will be;
1. Piano. Ndumiso Dlamini
2. Saxophone Zwile
3. Saxophone Sihlelelwe Mncina
4. Drums. Mayibongwe Nxumalo
5. Guitar. Sisa Sambo
6. Contrabass Johnphillip Fakudze
7. Trumpet. Itallo
8. Trumpet Mlandvo Paules
9. Trombone. Siphosethu Mkhatshwa
10. Cello. Mongezi Simelane
11. Violin. Kwanza Kamau
Lawton shared that tickets are selling out fast and are almost sold out. A ticket costs E400, and it will not be sold at the door. To purchase a ticket, one can send a MOJA TICKET to 1802 203 4403 or a MoMo or e-wallet to 7603 2897.
