Kronendal Music Academy (KMA) has won a bronze medal in the Best Practice in After School Programmes awards, a new addition to the annual Ministerial Youth Excellence Awards.
The Best Practice in After School Programmes Award is an initiative of the provincial government’s “After School Game Changer” together with the Department of Social Development. It is given to outstanding non-governmental organisations and individuals who have contributed to youth development and best practice in the after school sector.
The awards were held at the Old Mutual offices in Pinelands on Tuesday November 28.
Premier Helen Zille congratulated the silver winner, maths training partner OLICO, as well as KMA.
“The Western Cape government currently spends R9.8 billion of its overall provincial budget on youth-related initiatives. We are working hard to create the necessary environment for young people to access and leverage opportunity where required. And we are committed to partnerships that will level the playing field for so many of our learners,” she said.
KMA’s focus is to provide music education in as many forms and styles as possible to Hout Bay’s under-privileged and economically challenged communities, while fostering a platform from which to initiate racial and social interaction and integration” among the area’s communities.
Most of the academy’s approximate 150 pupils come from Hout Bay schools. Here, they are taught by 18 teachers who specialise in 22 instruments.
As a result, the academy is highly sought after by more affluent pupils who can afford the academy’s fees – there’s a long waiting list. These paying students help to subsidise those who cannot afford fees. Pupils also are collected from schools and delivered home to their doorsteps.
“I wish to commend all those who were recognised for their excellence at the awards ceremony this evening,” Ms Zille said.
KMA founder Dwyn Griesel was delighted with the win. “It’s very exciting. It was the first year we entered for an after-school programme award. We have won awards for arts and culture, but it was the first time in this category. It was great to be recognised,” she said.
