Music

Students dancing to a drum beat

Cipher session during break

The idea of music being an international language has really come to life since We've arrived in Cape Town on Sunday. We have visited over 4 different schools within the past 3 days and have witnessed everything from learners dancing with cans and sticks and stumping with boots and hard hats, to students singing in a choir and playing musical instruments. The most powerful musical experience, however, has taken place at Kalksteinfontein Primary School here in Cape Town. Prior to arriving on campus, we were told that Afrikaans was the first language for the large majority of learners at Kalksteinfontein (English being their second language). This became evident soon after trying to engage learners in conversation during their break for free time on Tuesday. During the break, however, the communication barrier between the learners and I was suddenly removed once I learned that one of the students in class was beat boxing while doing his class work. I immediately began showing my beat boxing skills to the students. Within seconds, I was surrounded by about 20 learners (some listening in and others rapping). What was supposed to be a short 10 minute break, turned into 20 minutes. To my surprise (and fault) the teacher extended the break due to the student’s engagement with the spontaneous cipher session taking place in the back of the classroom. Within the last 2 days, there have been about 10 cipher sessions. Students have assigned me the role of designated beat maker and the learners, boys and girls, rap in Afrikaans! Though I do not understand their language, I feel myself connecting with these learners in a powerful way when I make beats with my mouth and they rap. To top things off, the lesson Felicia (a fellow SAI participant) and I introduced today, started off with everyone singing “Baby” by Justin Bieber. The learners knew all the words and spoke fluently as they sung.