In November this year, the Sparrow Combined School Choir will embark on a tour of the United Kingdom. The tour will be a huge cultural and social experience for the learners. Many of them will have never traveled outside their hometowns and will have had no idea of the real meaning of an English winter. Meet one half of the choir members:
Kamo Lephallo
Age: 16
Born: Orlando West, Soweto
Voice type: Soprano
Q: Tell us about yourself
A: I’m kind and friendly with people. Basically, what you see is what you get.
Q: What are your hobbies?
A: In my spare time, I play computer games and chess. I really like playing brain games
Q: Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?
A: I see myself as an actor or musician. If I go into the acting field, I would like to be an actor on Isidingo (popular South African telenovela). If I go into the music industry, I would rap.
Q: What does the Mandela spirit mean to you?
A: From what I have been told and read, he was a well-known, respected man that did a lot of good deeds for our country.
Q: If you could change the world, what would you do?
A: I would help the poor by providing disadvantaged children with free basic education and jobs for their parents.
Kelebogile Peele
Age: 18
Born: Molapo extension, Soweto.
Voice type: Soprano
Q: Tell us about yourself
A: I am quiet and shy in nature that is why I have a small circle of 4 friends. I usually speak when spoken to.
Q: What are your hobbies?
A: I cook and occasionally sing old school RNB music the likes of Mariah Carey and Tamia.
Q: Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?
A: I see myself opening my own restaurant in Sandton (Johannesburg) because I am passionate about cooking.
Q: What does the Mandela spirit mean to you?
A: It means Ubuntu and working as one as well as equal rights for all citizens.
Q: If you could change the world, what would you do?
A: I would help street kids with shelters to accommodate them. I would also set up programmes to help them achieve their life goals
Noma Ngamlana
Age: 15
Grade: 9
Born: Mofolo, Soweto
Voice type: Alto
Q: Tell us about yourself
A: I am a shy person. I am short-tempered and I love my family.
Q: What are your hobbies?
A: I read books when I have nothing to do so far I have read High School Musical.
Q: Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?
A: I see myself studying BA Tourism Management at the University of Johannesburg
Q: What does the Mandela spirit mean to you?
A: It means fighting for people’s rights even though it personally affects you.
Q: If you could change the world, what would you do?
A: I would build homes and hospitals for poor people.
Sanele Nkabinde
Age: 14
Grade: 8
Born: Diepkloof, Soweto
Voice type: Soprano
Q: Tell us about yourself
A: I love singing because it makes me happy. I do not like greedy people.
Q: What are your hobbies?
A: If I’m not singing, I am probably reading a book like Charlie and the chocolate factory, and Silver Book.
Q: Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?
A: I see myself as an English or Isizulu teacher. If I choose to go into singing, I will sing gospel songs like Rebecca Malope and Hlengiwe Mhlaba.
Q: What does the Mandela spirit mean to you?
A: It means an act of heroism whereby a man went to prison for 27 years in the fight for equal rights.
Q: If you could change the world, what would you do?
A: I would reduce crime in South Africa by deploying more police onto the streets.
Karabo Khupe
Age: 15
Grade: ASP 3
Home: Parktown, Johannesburg
Q: Tell us about yourself
A: I’m a kind person that loves joking around. I also play sports namely netball and hockey.
Q: What are your hobbies?
A: When I have nothing serious to do, I go to the gym or simply unwind at the mall with my friends.
Q: Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?
A: I see myself as a successful hockey player for the South African national team.
Q: What does the Mandela spirit mean to you?
A: It means freedom, and equal rights and responsibilities for all.
Q: If you could change the world, what would you do?
A: I would reduce crime in South Africa by creating employment.
Tumelo Vilakazi
Age: 16
Grade: ASP 1
Home: Fourways, Johannesburg.
Q: Tell us about yourself
A: I like singing a lot. I do not like cats because I have asthma. I attend church on Sundays and I like travelling.
Q: What are your hobbies?
A: I chill with friends and teach them how to sing. I also sketch fashion designs because I want to be a fashion designer when I grow up.
Q: Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?
A: I see myself working for a sewing company so that I can learn how to start my own fashion company, if not, I see myself singing on Idols South Africa or being a choir mistress like Mrs. Badesile Gaobepe (Choir Mistress).
Q: What does the Mandela spirit mean to you?
A: Simply means to help people that cannot help themselves and spread peace.
Q: If you could change the world, what would you do?
A: I would buy houses for poor people and I would reduce the price of bread, milk, toiletries and other essentials.
The tour will help expand links with Sparrow among a number of UK schools, some of whom have organised exchange tours of their own including Tudor Hall School for Girls and Westminster Under School. The aim is to expand knowledge of Sparrow to new audiences, as well as among existing supporters. Click here for the tour itinerary.