Etwatwa’s New Hidden Voices Gospel Choir has made its mark in the community of Etwatwa by blessing the community with their angelic voices, and also with their heart of giving.
The registered NPC choir was founded by Nkosenhle Matiwane and Caroline Buthelezi in 2013 with the hope of saving the lives of the youth in the hands of crime and teenage pregnancy. The choir consists of 70 determined members ranging from the age of 12 years and upward who love singing.
“We are people who grew up in church and who are gifted vocally, so knowing the power of music we wanted to share it with the world. The aim was to take care of the community including the youth because we are aware of what they are facing. With the scarcity of activities in schools today, these children tend to fall for bad things,”
“With the two hours that I spend with these kids every day, I am not saying I am preventing them to be exposed to these issues, however, I know with these two hours I am minimizing the harm somewhere. I believe that the initiative is making a difference in their lives,” said Buthelezi.
Buthelezi mentioned that they would take great pleasure in continuing to do more for these kids, however, finance is the problem since they are unemployed.
“We are struggling financially because most of these kids are still in school, and others do not work including myself and my partner. Whenever we are staging some choir members would come without the required money for contributions. In a situation like that, you can’t turn your back on them but the only choice is to step in and help,” she added.
Last year in November the choir partnered with an NPO, Bacha ba Dichaba and distributed food parcels to the choir members and the community of Etwatwa Mandela Ward 66.
“This is another passion that I have to extend my hand to the community that I live in because it goes back to the saying “charity begins at home”. To me, the choir feels like a business and a business should provide to its members, because it is painful that these children come to practice every day on an empty stomach and I have to make them sing,” noted Buthelezi.
Currently, The New Hidden Voices Gospel Choir has a CD, and they are working on their second CD. With the constraints of money, the process of their second album is slow since recording requires money. They have six music videos that became a success with the help of Sedibeng sa Mapostola, and Thetha Nami Dumisa.
They are the first choir to do a music video with a transition from clap and tap to Amapiano.
Buthelezi told Ekurhuleni News that they would appreciate it if they can get someone who can sponsor them with food parcels every month, and transport so that if they have performances they know that there is free transport.
The aspiring woman has a desire of opening a Soup kitchen that will enable school children to eat before they go to school.
”We have kids that go to school on an empty stomach, so the Soup Kitchen will be there to provide for those individuals. I would like to give thanks to Isaac Setati and our advisor Pastor Trevor Lejoane who always assist us with transport and uniform whenever we are in need,” she ended.
By Simphiwe Nkosi
