By Siphiwe Mbonambi | Choirs Coordinator
GlobalGiving Donor Report – May 2025
The PSI Legacy Project for Choirs Development in Schools
Dear GlobalGiving Donors,
Thank you once again for walking this journey with us. Your continued support is helping shape confident learners, empowered educators, and increasingly aware communities through the unique and transformative power of song.
Rehearsals in Full Swing: A Season of Growth and Excitement.
We’re thrilled to share that rehearsals for the 2025 Siyacula Festival are now in full swing! Choirs across our schools have finalised their song selections, and learners are already halfway through learning the lyrics. This year’s repertoire is particularly rich—challenging, diverse, and uplifting—bringing both excitement and motivation to students and teachers alike.
The energy and commitment we’re seeing in rehearsals is truly heartening. Enthusiasm levels are high, and the relationships between teachers, learners, and the music continue to deepen in ways that go far beyond technical skill.
Macongco Primary Takes the Stage.
Winners of last year’s Siyacula Festival, Macongco Primary School, have kicked off 2025 with a proud and promising achievement: they were invited to perform at the District Education Excellence Awards in March! The learners gave a moving performance that was met with overwhelming appreciation. This moment of recognition has helped launch a year of renewed vision and purpose, as all participating choirs are now being encouraged to step into greater independence.
Our choirs coordinator, Siphiwe Mbonambi, has been championing this shift—encouraging choirs to reach out into their communities, perform publicly, and begin to self-fund through local support. The long-term sustainability of the choirs depends on this kind of community integration, and the momentum is building.
Cool Air Choir Finds Its Voice.
Following in Macongco’s footsteps, Cool Air Secondary School’s choir has been buzzing with activity, performing at several school functions and establishing itself as a proud presence within the school community. Their confidence and visibility are growing, and we’re inspired by their initiative and determination.
Teacher Development and the Midlands Youth Choir Concert.
Wembley College, our close partner in this work, hosted its second Music Teacher Development Workshop earlier this year. During this gathering, teachers were invited to attend the Midlands Youth Choir Concert in May, hosted at Wembley and led by Executive Head William Silk.
Siyacula schools were well represented, and teachers had the unique opportunity to hear the songs they’ll be performing later this year—this time sung by a professional-level youth choir. These exposure opportunities help raise musical standards and generate aspiration in both learners and teachers.
Behind the Music: Support and Strategy.
Our Siyacula Music Director, Judith Hawthorne, continues to be a critical part of this project. From coordinating music selections to preparing rehearsal resources for all schools, her work ensures consistency, quality, and accessibility. Already, the benefits are evident—not just in the performance, but in learner confidence and language development.
English, often seen as a barrier for many rural learners, is becoming an empowering tool through music. When learners sing in English, it’s not just about pronunciation or vocabulary—it’s about connection. We’re witnessing that moment when language shifts from anxiety to joy, from fear to expression. It’s one of the most rewarding transformations we get to see.
Songs for the Earth.
Beyond language and musicality, Siyacula continues to integrate environmental messaging in subtle and creative ways. Catchy, well-composed songs with ecological themes are beginning to shape awareness among learners, and schools are gradually embracing environmental education more actively.
As one teacher remarked: “They sing these songs at break time and on their way home—without even realising, they’re spreading a message.”
Looking Ahead:
As we prepare for the August Siyacula Festival, our vision remains focused:
We truly believe that music has the power to unlock potential, shift mindsets, and transform lives—and your support is what makes this possible.
A Final Word of Thanks
To our generous GlobalGiving family: thank you. Whether it's enabling workshops, performances, or transport for learners—you are helping amplify young voices, inspire teachers, and build bridges between education, environment, and community.
We look forward to sharing more as the year unfolds. Until then, keep singing with us in spirit…
With heartfelt gratitude,
Siphiwe Mbonambi Choirs Coordinator Bridget Johnson the Managing Director of PSI
The PSI Legacy Project for Choirs Development
Wembley College & Partner Schools
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