Band performs at Artscape after Sweden tour
A LOCALband comprised of nine local youths from disadvantaged backgrounds showcased their talents in a homecoming performance at Artscape yesterday following their tour to Sweden last year for the World’s Children’s Prize award ceremony.
The Cape Town Child Rights Band performed in front of Sweden’s Queen Silvia Sommerlath, at the award ceremony at Gripsholm Castle in Mariefred in October.
Singer Amanda Mtambo, 18, from Lower Crossroads, is among the nine in the Cape Town Child Rights Band, which is supported by World’s Children’s Prize Programme.
The concept of the programme was founded by Queen Silvia, in 2000, to honour world heroes who have played a role in children’s right.
Amanda said she heard of the programme when its officials visited her school, Chris Hani High. She then auditioned to be part of the band, and after six months of intensive music training, she was fortunate to perform for the royals as well as other delegates. The teen described the trip as “amazing”.
“I was exposed to so much in one go – prior to this I had not travelled by airplane and never in my life had I imagined meeting the queen,” she said.
As part of the youths’ stay in Sweden, they attended a children’s rights conference with delegates from 15 countries.
Yesterday, the youth showcased what they had learnt from the conference and trip.
“By being part of this we are being armed with ways in which we can fight for children’s rights and prevent some of the horrors, such as exploitation, that are happening in other countries.”
Each year, three people are nominated to be Child Right Heroes. Based on the work they do with children, the winner will be determined by votes cast by children from all over the world.
Marlene Winberg, spokeswoman for the World’s Children’s Prize explained: “There are 112 countries involved in this, with at least 7 million children participating.
“Once the nominees are selected, a magazine is distributed globally with information of the nominee and what the person does.
“The children then study the magazine and, on a day set for voting, they democratically post their vote next to the person.”
Some of the South African patrons of the organisation include the late Nelson Mandela, his wife Graça Machel and Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu.
Nkosi Johnson and Doctor Anne Skelton were past nominees, in 2005 and 2012, respectively.
This year, Cambodian woman Phymean Noun took the award for the work she does in fighting for the rights of children who live off dustbins – she also fights for their right to an education.