HELLO, WORLD

Blogging is a little new to us, but we've decided to face our fears and tackle the unknown so we can keep you all up to date with the exciting goings on at the CMDA and 2Enable headquarters.

To get started, here's a quick (well, sort of) intro on who we are and what we do.

OUR STORY

When the Casterbridge Music Development Academy (CMDA) opened its doors in 2010, the idea was to provide a platform for local children, especially from previously disadvantaged backgrounds, to develop an interest in music and the performance arts: an idea that we hoped would impact their lives positively.

The result has been phenomenal. Suddenly, we’re seeing a revolutionary change in the community. Young adults in Kabokweni and surrounds are starting to harness their talents and take charge of their futures.

In the last few years, we’ve produced a high calibre of musicians and bands who can boast to having performed alongside international act Ali Campbell (UB40), as well as local bands Mango Groove, Watershed, Elvis Blue and Judith Sephuma to name a few. When they’re not rubbing shoulders with the stars, they spend all their free time prepping for performances at corporate, private and public events, including several local festivals like the popular Innibos Laeveld Nationale Kunstefees.

This year marked a new high for the CMDA. Our Performing Arts students were invited to perform Ilizwi at the World Economic Forum in Cape Town at the BOE Nedbank Arena Waterfront.

YOU MAY FIND YOURSELF ASKING 'WHY MUSIC'? 

The way we see it, music is indispensable. It fuels education, boosts self-esteem and promotes a global sense of happiness that’s hard to beat – and we’re not just making that up. Studies by several overseas-based education professionals have proven that students with a consistent musical influence not only outperformed their peers academically, but also experienced lower levels of anxiety and increased emotional stability.

BUT IS MUSIC ENOUGH? 

Yes and no. As much as we believe music is an essential tool for learning and life skills, we cannot dispute the importance of quality education. That’s where our education platform, 2Enable fits in. E-learning is fast becoming a more effective and invaluable tool in education. The problem is, most schools in rural South Africa aren’t even equipped with a computer, let alone internet access. We’ve made it our mission to provide them with both.

HOW OUR 2ENABLE PLATFORM WORKS 

Designed to serve the needs of a rural community, 2Enable delivers tailor-made educational content collated and developed by highly qualified teaching professionals, career guidance, bursary applications, life skills, business skills training, farming at a micro enterprise level and other content relevant to the development of a fully functional community. It's not all 'in the cloud' just yet, but we have a full-time team working on the content and the resources expand and improve every day.

HOW 2ENABLE CONTENT IS DELIVERED 

Once sufficient funds are generated, our team locates and supervises the formation of a learning hub equipped with a comprehensive computer network. In order to grow this project, our NPO relies solely on donations from companies and individuals who, like us, believe in the invaluable benefit of music and education in the community.

BUILDING ENTERPRISES 

What makes 2Enable that much more effective in terms of socio-economic development is our desire to facilitate, establish and encourage an increase of small micro and medium enterprises in the community. By aiding willing and able individuals to run our learning hubs as a business, we manage to satisfy the criteria for both Socio-Economic Development and Enterprise Development.

HOW YOU CAN GET INVOLVED 

• Sponsor the development of educational content designed by education professsionals for Mathematics, Science, English, Music Theory, Recorder, Guitar, Violin, Life Orientation and Business Studies
• Donate funds towards the establishment of music and computer hubs in the form of hardware, software, equipment and musical instruments or through private donations via GivenGain
• Assist in upgrading facilities and providing security
• Sponsor running costs of CMDA bands (e.g. transport costs, enrolment fees, etc.)
• Facilitating event partnership – one of which is the upcoming Route40 Music Festival
• Sponsor vehicles, equipped with company branding
• Support local acts and shows in the community by attending band and performance events
• Follow the CMDA and 2Enable.org online via Twitter, Facebook and our blog and websites and help spread the word

GET IN TOUCH

Keren Gear • +27 82 458 9071 • keren@2enable.org.za
Call our office on +27 13 751 3171
www.mpuma-music.org.za • www.2enable.org
NON-PROFIT ORGANISATION REGISTRATION NUMBER • 083-298-NPO • PUBLIC BENEFIT ORGANISATION EXEMPTION NUMBER • 930-036-016