Children’s band brought harmony to community

IT WAS the year 1969, and clarinet player Moorgas Pockets Moonsammy was managing the band Sarasvathi Orchestra when he discovered a wealth of musical talent existed among children living in and around the neighbourhood of Actonville, Benoni.

Among the young group of musicians was his son, Vernie, and daughter, Sharmala.

Impressed by their passion for music, Moonsammy, who is now dead, decided to start the group, The Mini Pops.

“When my dad told us we would be part of a children’s band, we were so excited,” recalled Vernie.

While 12-year-old Vernie played lead guitar, his 8-year-old sister sang and played the keyboard, and their cousin, Dayalin Porthen, who was 8, was placed on the drums.

The trio were joined by the other Moonsammy siblings: Cherisse, 8, on bass guitar and vocals, and Trevor, 6, and Rodney (now dead), 6, on percussion.

The lead vocalist was 8-yearold Clifford James.

Vernie described his father as a versatile, multi-talented, self-taught musician, who taught them everything he knew.

“We were young and people would flock to venues to listen to us play. My father made sure we practised every day, even if it were for a few minutes.

“From his teachings, we went on to become a household name throughout the country,” said Vernie, who added The Mini Pops was the youngest Indian pop-rock band at the time.

“We participated in various battle of the band competitions in Johannesburg and went up against popular bands like the Flood, Born to be Wild and the Silhouettes.”

When the group was not competing, they were booked to play at various functions, including corporate events.

“We were part of the official opening of the Oriental Plaza in Fordsburg and the opening of the Carlton Centre in Johannesburg.

“We were also involved in live stage shows for charity organisations throughout the country and were often contracted as entertainers at weddings and cultural shows.”

Vernie said it was not always fun and games.

“The challenge was juggling school and we eventually called it quits to focus on our tertiary education.”

Apart from the band, Moonsammy started the first Benoni Indian Scout Group and the Actonville Training Centre – School for the mentally challenged.

Today, Vernie, 60, the former principal of Actonville Training Centre and William Hills Secondary School, is actively involved in backing various live and recording groups.

“I am trying to keep our family’s musical legacy alive and have passed on my skills to my son, Devan, who in the ’80s, at the age of 5, was the youngest drummer in South Africa.”