From Soweto to the world: TotalEnergies marks 28 years of transforming young musicians

TotalEnergies celebrates 28 years of empowering young musicians in underprivileged communities. 

Since 1997, they have partnered with Buskaid, a music organisation in Diepkloof, Soweto, that provides high-quality classical music education to underprivileged youth who would otherwise not have access to music lessons.

It was founded by the renowned British violinist Rosemary Nalden in 1992 and has grown into a music school with an internationally recognised string ensemble.

The orchestra has performed for many renowned artists, as well as Nelson Mandela, Queen Elizabeth II and Michelle Obama. 

The TotalEnergies Foundation has supported the school by contributing to the construction of the building, the musical education program, local concerts, and international tours.

TotalEnergies CSI Manager Talitha Sachane says the organisation has grown from 35 students to almost 150.

“It has enabled those young people to really transcend. They’ve gone from learning an instrument to being able to write music, create, and perform. They have the confidence to take on anything, to get on stage and perform.” 

The program teaches children as young as seven to play string instruments such as the violin and cello, while also incorporating other genres of music such as jazz, kwaito, and amapiano. 

“Imagine your child comes back from school and right around the corner, instead of being in the streets, they can go and access a violin lesson,” she says. 

To listen to Sachane in conversation with 702’s Ray White, click below: