Thokozani Brothers – Afternoon Activity Centre for children in Khayelitsha

The Thokozani Brothers are an Acapella Adult Men Choir that perform regularly for both local and international audiences. All the men originate and still live in Khayelitsha, one of Cape Town’s largest townships.

Many kids in their community spend afternoons on the street, while their parents are still at work, and therefore often face danger or the risk of getting mixed up in the wrong crowds. The Thokozani Brothers all share a passion for music and singing, and thought it great to teach these kids something useful and meaningful, instead of being left to their own devices, during these afternoons.

Soon the Thokozani Brothers Children’s Afternoon Programme was born. Since 2007 nearly 80 kids have the opportunity to participate in this afternoon programme where they are taught life skills, music, singing and dancing. The brothers share the afternoon duties with other part-time volunteers and life-skills facilitators.

Thanks to the generous donation of our clients Aral & City Innovation in May 2009, they were able to buy music instru-ments and sound equipment, which has enabled them offer music lessons to the children during this afternoon project.

The afternoon project is housed in a community hall that they have had to rent from the city for a nominal fee, but were donated two shipping containers to create their own space and office. Some of the Terra Nova Staff, together with international volunteers and the children from the project, were able to paint these containers in September 2009. Thanks to the generous donation from all the participants of our client, an Automobil Club and Insurance Company, who each brought packets of Haribos, the kids were able to receive a reward for their hard work on the day. Once the doors and windows are fitted, the Thokozani Brothers hope to move in permanently and make it their Afternoon Project’s permanent new home.

The Children’s Choir from the Afternoon Project has performed at numerous Dinner functions and are an excellent entertainment option for any function in Cape Town.