The former principal of Putuma Primary School in Elliotdale, Babalwa Mtumtum, described the school choir conductor from Mandela Park Primary School in Mthatha, Mava Pama, as someone who loves music. He is also the deputy principal of this primary school.
Pama is a former teacher from Putuma, and even then he was known as the best school choir conductor, who always came back with trophies.
Mtumtum said this after Pama and his school choir won at national level, and came back with R35 000 after his two choirs obtained first and second in the South African Schools Choral Eisteddford (SASCE) competition, that was held at the Rhema Bible Church in Randburg, last month.
This competition was sponsored by the Motsepe Foundation.
Mtumtum added that Pama also has many learners who are his products, and who are now soloists.
Pama said that even though his choirs had won this sum of money, they did not receive it as cash, but instead they told the Motsepe Foundation what they wanted, and the foundation assisted them based on what they requested.
“We went with two choirs from this school to represent our province. The first one was a boys’ choir singing a song titled Man in the Mirror; then a mixed choir singing Heal the World,” said Pama.
He added that he was very proud of the support they got from the School Management Team (SMT). “If the SMT was not supporting us, surely we would not be where we are today. What is amazing is that we started very late, but we managed to fly high. I cannot hide that our school is in Mandela West in Mthatha, which is one of the places where people are struggling to make a living.”
Pama encouraged other schools to take music seriously as it creates more opportunities for learners.
According to him, music also assists a lot, because it keeps learners busy instead of roaming around in the streets.
“It is educating and gives learners more opportunities. I am proud to say that I also travelled to Germany because of music.”
