When a primary school boy asked a retired music teacher, “Wat is ’n klavier?”, she realised the urgent need to introduce music to the children of Onseepkans.
This same boy is now one of Maria Dhana’s piano students, and Aden Disten performed Beethoven’s “Für Elise” for beginners at his school’s prize-giving ceremony in 2023.
Having visited the Northern Cape for the first time in 2010, Dhana – who is a retired music teacher from the Western Cape – moved to Onseepkans with her family in December 2021.
“We decided to move to Onseepkans because of the peaceful atmosphere, the beautiful mountains bordered by the Orange River; and the humble lifestyle of the people attributed to our decision,” Dhana says.
Dhana, who offers music lessons in her living room, started teaching piano and music theory to Aden and Caverencia Julie in 2022, and both performed at the St Philomenia Intermediate School’s prize-giving ceremony last year.
She currently has three piano learners and would like to start a recorder group.
“These three learners simply enjoy their lessons and are very eager to learn. I observed that they are more disciplined and responsible since they started their lessons.”
Dhana does not charge any tuition fees.
“I also supply their practical and theory books, which I purchased in Cape Town.”
Apart from teaching music, Dhana also home schools her two grandchildren and assists learners from Gr. 1 to Gr. 8 after school with Afrikaans, English and Mathematics. According to her, the majority of learners urgently need assistance with reading and Mathematics.
“Here are no extramural activities for the children. Due to the alcohol and drug abuse in the community, we need to create better opportunities for them. Music can be used as a vehicle for social change and bringing communities together.”
Dhana has observed major alcohol abuse by women, with some of the children having the typical facial features of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS).
“Those children have major learning problems. I urgently appeal to the Northern Cape departments of education, health, and social services to visit the area to observe the needs of these children. They are the future of Onseepkans.”
Dhana commenced her teaching career in 1976, and she mainly taught music from Gr. 1 to Gr. 7; and Afrikaans, English and Mathematics from Gr. 4 to Gr. 6.
She entered school choirs for the Peninsula Eisteddfod and other competitions, was involved in staging operettas with primary school learners, and was the musical director of two musicals at a high school in Blue Downs. In 2001 Dhana started a music school on the premises of a high school in Blue Downs in Eerste River. In 2007 and 2009 she received a merit certificate from the University of South Africa (Unisa) due to her learners obtaining an average mark of 86%. At the Simcha Academy of Arts, which she later established, she appointed eight qualified music teachers, and assisted different community and church choirs for major functions and competitions. The school also offered violin and guitar lessons.
- Dhana appeals to state departments, the broader community, and organisations for assistance.
“We need four soprano recorders, three music stands, and a beginner recorder practical book. For assisting the children with school subjects, exercise writing books, Mathematical sets and stationary are needed.”
Call Dhana on 063-972-7162 or send an email to mariadhana87@gmail.com.
- Read the full story on the NoordkaapBulletin page under “Publications” on news24.com.
