Free concert in Nahoon

On a chilly autumn afternoon, Incopho Development Project (a non-profit organisation took to the stage at the Cathcart Town Hall to present a programme of musical delights. 

The focus of this concert was the South African Jazz songs taken from the South African Jazz Real Book ‘Jika’ published in 2022 with funding from the National Arts Council. 

The concert was one of two with the other set to take place on 6 May 2023 at the Stirling Presbyterian Church in East London. Both are funded by the Eastern Cape Provincial Arts and Cultural Council.

Entry to the concert is free although organisers will be collecting donations which will help to support the growth and development of young musicians in Cathcart. 

The Foundation was founded by saxophonist/clarinettist and former Head of Music at Cambridge Primary School, Anthony Drake.

“ECPACC provided funding for Incopho Development Project to purchase a drum kit, saxophone, flute, cello and djembe as well as funds for transport to East London, food for beneficiaries at the workshops, publicity which enabled us to a video produced marketing the events and tutoring costs which enabled us to employ clarinettist/recorder player Wonke Mapuma as one of our tutors to support the project,” stated Anthony Drake, Founder and Executive Director of the Project.

Incopho Development Project presented a wonderful programme of musical arrangements by Thabiso Ngoxo, Thabo Ngoxo and Wonke Mapuma of music by Whitney Houston, Howard Shore, Coldplay, Christiane Fischer, Mozart and Telemann but there was a focused section on pieces by South African Jazz composers such as Allan Silinga, Dudu Pukwana, Abdullah Ibrahim aka Dollar Brand, Jerry Ragovoy, Miriam Makeba and Strike Vilakazi.

“We were delighted by the turnout at this concert which must be one of the best turnouts in Cathcart since the project began in 2017.  A number of the pieces being performed by Incopho Development Project had audience members singing and dancing along,” added Anthony.

Incopho Development Project is a registered non-profit organisation and therefore relies entirely on funding from generous funding organisations/donors/partners and individuals.