Zululand Observer - Monday

Special ‘Fireworks’ stars on centre stage show

- Dave Savides

PATIENCE and perseveran­ce paid off when the Thuthukani Special School learners and staff hosted a spectacula­r ‘Fireworks’ concert at the Umfolozi Casino Resort’s Jabulani Dome on Thursday evening.

The sponsored venue typified the incredible support the school received on the night, with everything needed to put on the super show having been sponsored, donated or provided through volunteer effort.

The Rotary Club of Empangeni added ‘the icing on top’ with a donation of R20 000 and the pledge of a motorised wheelchair to the school.

They also sent round the ‘collection plates’ and the warm-hearted members of the audience added another R5 231 towards the night’s costs.

But it was the children who stole the show, with an exciting showcase of talented song and dance items across a wide spectrum of genre – from Latin and ballroom to Eastern, jive and ballet, with even those confined to wheelchair­s showing their unique ‘this-abilities’.

The eisteddfod gold winning choir raised the roof while the personal testimonie­s of pupils as to the thorough education, love and support they enjoy daily, gave moving insight to the listening ‘outsiders’.

Besides showcasing the talent on display, the concert paid witness to the incredible work being done by the teachers, staff and volunteers at Thuthukani.

Over 200 costumes were made for the night, with rehearsals having started at the beginning of the year and consuming hundreds of hours of preparatio­n.

After the show was over, all the special needs children were transporte­d back to the school where they slept for the night

– no doubt having sweet dreams following their amazing performanc­es.

 ??  ?? Rightly feeling as proud as Punch with their efforts, the grand finale ended the concert on a high note as all the participan­ts took to the stage
Rightly feeling as proud as Punch with their efforts, the grand finale ended the concert on a high note as all the participan­ts took to the stage
 ??  ?? ‘Groove in Sophiatown’ as the children show off the dances their Mkhulu and Gogo grandparen­ts performed in times gone by Photos: Dave Savides
‘Groove in Sophiatown’ as the children show off the dances their Mkhulu and Gogo grandparen­ts performed in times gone by Photos: Dave Savides
 ??  ?? Mfanafuthi and Senamile executed a fantastic
Mfanafuthi and Senamile executed a fantastic
 ??  ?? Thuthukani’s renowned songbird Yoliswa, supported by the Three Divas’, looked the part as she gave a wonderful rendition of ‘Lady in Red’
Thuthukani’s renowned songbird Yoliswa, supported by the Three Divas’, looked the part as she gave a wonderful rendition of ‘Lady in Red’
 ??  ?? Andrew Killick hands over the tremendous Empangeni Rotary Club donation to Thuthukani’s Tanya Girvin
Andrew Killick hands over the tremendous Empangeni Rotary Club donation to Thuthukani’s Tanya Girvin

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