Education Africa
Education Africa is a well-established South African, Non-Profit Organisation (NPO) which has been running successful projects for under-resourced communities since its establishment in 1992. Its founder, James Urdang, set the credo of “Making real change Happen” by providing “Poverty alleviation through Education”, and this has been at the core of its activities for nearly 30 years. Education Africa’s motto is: Educate • Equip • Empower.
Education Africa‘s focus is to break the cycle of poverty through educational interventions designed to educate a new generation of leaders. Through our projects we provide educational opportunities for various age groups among South Africa’s disadvantaged citizens. We currently delivers 7 independent projects in 9 provinces in South Africa, impacting some 600 schools and tens of thousands of learners. These projects address the full cycle of education, from pre-primary schooling right through to tertiary education.
Joan Lithgow
MMus (Wits); BMus (Wits); HDE (PG) (Wits); LTCL; LRSM Joan holds a B.Mus degree from the University of the Witwatersrand as well as a M.Mus degree from Wits University. She has been involved in music education for over 42 years and leads our International Arts & Culture programme, which was recognised at the 2019 Gauteng Premier’s Service Excellence Awards with a Silver Award in the Arts & Culture category. Three of our Marimba Hubs that support children with disabilities — The Goedehoop Prestige Marimba Band and the Dominican School for the Deaf – joined forces with five-times Grammy Award winners Ladysmith Black Mambazo in a concert celebrating people with disabilities which aired on CNN International’s Inside Africa documentary series in November 2018. Beyond their commitment to these social cohesion-focused events, our music team is intently committed to bettering the lives of disabled and disadvantaged South African children through the transformative tool of music education.
Khabonina Motaung
Marimba Assistant: Khabonina holds a Bachelor of Arts with majors in Drama and Film & Psychology from the University of the Witwatersrand. She also holds a B.Hons degree in Drama Therapy. Khabonina is a part-time player of the Blu Earth marimba band and is part of the Education Africa Steel band.
Puseletso Ramashoai
Marimba Assistant: Puseletso holds a SAQA NQF Level 4 certification in Early Childhood Development as well as a UNISA certificate in Economic and Management Sciences. Puseletso was trained by Education Africa as a marimba educator in 2016.
About the Session
The Marimba as an Agent of Social Change in South Africa
As part of their mission, Education Africa disseminates marimba lessons at South African schools, organizes concert tours for young marimba musicians in other countries, and organizes the acclaimed International Marimba & Steelpan Festival, which takes place every summer. These projects are led by South African Marimba specialists Joan Lithgow, Khabonina Motaung, and Puseletso Ramashoai. These three women are passionate about the power of marimba music as an agent for social change, both in their country and in the lives of thousands of young marimba players.
In their PASIC presentation Joan, Khabonina, and Puseletso will discuss Education Africa’s marimba projects and methodology while sharing video footage featuring:
• International Marimba and Steelpan Festival
• Marimba Hubs Progamme
• International Marimba Tours
• Annual Social Cohesion Concert: Sounds of Celebration