Aqua Vista’s marimba bands going places
School News will highlight the achievements of schools throughout the Eastern Cape. All schools are invited to send reports and photographs of achievements, awards and events to with “School News” in the subject line. Pictures that do not have full capti
WHEN Aqua Vista Primary School first introduced marimba as an extracurricular activity in 2006 to keep its pupils entertained and off the streets, they had no idea that it would earn them international recognition.
But today the school in East London’s Dawn suburb is reaping the fruit as once again the senior marimba band has taken their African sounds all the way to Germany.
Eight of the senior marimba band members were invited to perform in Cologne, western Germany’s central hub recently.
The trip was an invitation sponsored by Education Africa, an international organisation aimed at uplifting under-resourced schools and helping communities gain access to relevant education and participate in the global sphere.
Pupils at the school have earned endless accolades in marimba and percussion playing.
School principal Andelene Ross said this had resulted in major achievements and breakthroughs for the school and pupils.
“As a school we consider this a lifechanging opportunity for the pupils as many of them have only crossed Buffalo City’s borders when they attend festivals in Johannesburg. Crossing international borders and visiting a foreign country was not even a dream for these pupils,” Ross said.
The recent trip to Germany was just one of the many successes of the school’s bands.
The junior marimba, senior marimba and percussion bands have come first and won gold numerous times at the annual Port Rex Lions Eisteddfod.
They have also bagged awards at national competitions and endless trophies from the annual International Marimba and Steelpan Festival in which the band will be participating again soon in Johannesburg.
Financing the musical activity is still a challenge for the school but Ross said they try to rise above it by hosting civvies days, cake sales and sports days. —