Five Cape schools shine in talent competition
Five local Mitchells Plain schools were successful in securing their share of R60 000 in prize money to upgrade their facilities by winning the Liberty Promenade shopping centre’s annual #NextGeneration competition, which took place late last year.
Yellowwood Primary won R20 000 after being selected as one of the top schools combined with the Community Choice award by receiving the most votes online. The following schools Eastville Primary, Eisleben Road Primary, Lentegeur Secondary and Spine Road High each won R10,000 for their performances.
Each year, the Next Generation Musical Showcase features a different theme, designed to inspire learners to think optimistically and creatively. The theme for 2021 was “If I Ruled the World” which had to be incorporated into the entry. Through their performance, learners were encouraged to highlight the changes they would make if they ruled the world as well as the qualities and behaviours that they believe leaders should display.
The performances included singing, dancing, rap and poetry. Additionally, a few learners used musical instruments as part of their entry. Learners referenced influential figures whose values resonate with them such as Mahatma Ghandi, Winnie Mandela, Mother Theresa and community leaders.
“Kids are dying, stray bullets flying, the mommies are left crying,
Gang war in its prime,
These are the issues we need to underline.
‘Cos we can’t have kids dying at the age of 9.
The changes I would make, would make the world great, cycle of poverty I’ll break
and lower the death rate”
rapped Tyler-Jake Ford, Spine Road high learner.
The competition was open to all schools in Mitchells Plain including primary schools, high schools and schools catering for learners with special needs. This initiative, hosted by the shopping centre, is now in its tenth year, as part of the mall’s social responsibility initiatives. Schools look forward to this competition every year as the cash prizes are used to improve their facilities or to purchase much needed educational resources. The schools indicated that their current needs include classroom renovations, textbooks, computer upgrades, projectors, books, upgrades to their school fields and refurbishments of tables and chairs.
In the past, this initiative saw a physical event taking place in the mall. However, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, performances were filmed in a private studio, and a panel of judges selected the top performing schools based on the entry criteria. The schools’ performances were uploaded to the mall’s website and more than 420 000 votes were cast by the community. In addition to the prize money awarded to each school, Liberty Promenade awarded R4 000 in gift cards to the participating teachers and learners of the winning schools, to acknowledge their participation and enthusiasm.
“Congratulations to all of the learners for displaying such incredible talent in this year’s competition. We were astounded by the performances,” said Brenda Bibby, General Manager of Liberty Promenade. “All of these schools have needs for resources and support. In awarding these prizes to them, we hope to encourage other corporates and individuals to get involved and assist where they can,” she added.
For enquiries on Liberty Promenade’s upcoming Next Generation initiative, please contact the Marketing Manager for Liberty Promenade, Najeeba Small-Ebrahim, Najeeba.Ebrahim@epsgroup.co.za or visit www.promenade.co.za.
