It was an afternoon of celebrating music-making at Our Lady of Fatima Dominican Convent. The school’s Umzwilili ensemble, celebrating South African culture and music, joined forces with the marimba and High School bands for the “Beats and Blankets” event which combined sweet melodies, pulsating rhythms and raising funds to go towards the renovation of the roof of The Domino Foundation’s Babies’ Home.
It was a bravura performance of verve and musicality in various idioms: gospel, pop, Hi-hop, electronic House Music, R&B and acapella South African music, culminating in a “tutti” finale when all three groups performed South African Freshly Ground’s “Doo Be Doo”.
High School Marimba Captain, Havaria Pillay, congratulated the performers and those who had attended the event, saying: “We are incredibly grateful for the support you have shown in true Fatima fashion.” She thanked Domino for letting the performers be part of the fundraising journey.
The school’s Head of Music, Victoria Erasmus, commented: “Community and building family form one of Fatima’s four pillars of growth, and it was beautiful to see the girls exercising their creativity in the space of serving and giving".
Domino’s “Connector”, Thembeka Gumede, who liaises with the NPO’s volunteers, said after she had received the donation of R 8200 from Fatima’s young minstrels: “Our school supporters encourage us so much. The Babies’ Home is a safe haven for up to six little ones at any one time, plus the staff who give round-the-clock care and love. The roof is in dire need of a total make-over and the school’s generosity in organising, practising, performing and handing over the proceeds is much appreciated.”
Thembeka added that Domino is edging towards the target of R1.3 million needed for the roof repair and encouraged other schools to emulate Fatima’s example of using whatever skills and talents their pupils have to partner with the NPO to ensure the babies and toddlers have a water-tight overhead cover. She can be contacted on connect @ domino.org.za.
