Composers, musicians and the Duduza Serenade Choir unite with Drug Free World programme at Castle Kyalami to promote youth empowerment through music and creative expression.
CASTLE KYALAMI, 24 OCTOBER 2026 — Music became a voice for change on Saturday afternoon as composers, musicians and the celebrated Duduza Serenade Choir gathered at Castle Kyalami for the launch of Pen & Praise, a programme aimed at empowering young people through music and raising awareness of the harmful effects of drugs and alcohol together with Drug Free World programme.
Organised by Samu Pacho, with composer Sizwe Buthelezi among the creative figures associated with the initiative, the programme promotes music not only as an art form but also as a positive force for youth development, self-expression and social change.
For composers such as Sizwe Buthelezi, music represents more than sound. Ideas, emotions and experiences can be transformed into art through a discipline.
The creative process depends on the development of talent, the refinement of technique and the willingness to work consistently towards a goal. Protecting the conditions that allow young musicians to develop is therefore essential to the future of the arts.
The message associated with Pen & Praise places this responsibility within a wider social context. Young people need opportunities to explore music, learn from experienced artists and discover the value of their own creative abilities.
Behind the glamour sometimes associated with drugs and alcohol lies a harsher reality. Substance misuse can contribute to family conflict, exploitation and, in some circumstances, violence. Its impact can extend into the creative world, where promising talent may struggle to flourish when dependency takes priority over artistic growth.
Pen & Praise seeks to challenge this destructive path by offering young people
a more constructive alternative: creativity.
Through music, young people can develop confidence, discipline, collaboration and a sense of purpose. Creative opportunities also give them a platform to express their experiences, discover their abilities and build connections with positive role models.
The participation of the internationally acclaimed choir Duduza Serenade brought a powerful musical dimension to the event. Its performance reflected the unifying potential of music, demonstrating how individual voices can come together to create something greater than themselves.
The launch also highlighted the importance of turning awareness into action. Music workshops, mentorship, performances and credible drug-prevention education can help ensure that the programme’s message reaches young people beyond the event itself.
By placing music at the centre of its mission, the programme seeks to inspire a generation to choose creativity over destruction, purpose over dependency and artistic expression over despair.
The gathering at Castle Kyalami was a starting point for that conversation — one that deserves to continue in schools, communities, music studios and wherever young people are searching for a voice and a future.
Pen & Praise: giving young people a voice through music and a reason to believe in their potential.
