A Better World in South Africa

by Ntonga Music School

The Playing For Change Band’s percussionist Mohammed Alidu, and the band’s tour manager Erika Duffee, paid a visit to the Ntonga Music School during their stay in Cape Town, South Africa, in December 2010. Despite school being on hiatus for summer break, three dedicated students from the Ntonga student ensemble, Yonelisa Wambi, Prince Mafu and Enkosinati, came to Ntonga to meet Erika and Alidu. Alidu shared his musical journey with the students. Originally from the remote village of Tamale, in Northern Ghana, he now tours the world with the Playing for Change Band, and is the program founder of a Playing For Change Music School, the Bizung School of Music and Dance in Tamale, Ghana. His journey is a source of inspiration to Ntonga students. It is one of dedication, perseverance, and patience. After sharing his story, Alidu invited Yonelisa to play guitar and soon joined him on his talking drum. This musical interaction revealed the power music has to connect humanity. Kids from the surrounding community soon joined the musical moment, forming a circle around the musicians. As Alidu and Erika reminded the students, music is a powerful tool: it has the power to communicate without words. Erika and Alidu’s visit encouraged and reminded Ntonga students that success in any career is a combination of talent and luck.

"A Better World" original song by Yonelisa Wambi, Ntonga Music School student. Featuring Mohammed Alidu of the Playing For Change Band on the talking drum.

(Thanks to Amelia Romano for documenting and taking video!)