Arts writer
BUDDING young violinist Neo Motsatse hopes to use her musical gift to better the lives of those less fortunate than herself. The 15 year-old started playing the violin at the age of six, and over the years, after her parents noticed that she struggled to perform in front of large audiences, initiated home concerts in a way to get rid of stage fright.
The Neo Motsatse the Concert(NMtC) showcase has been running for five years, and in celebration, Motsatse has embarked on a five-city tour where she performs with seasoned musicians in each town.
In addition to the concerts, she also goes into communities giving talks to aspiring young musicians and children at schools to try and encourage them to pursue their love for music and to motivate them to follow their passions.
Her current tour began in Johannesburg, moving to East London and Port Elizabeth. Her next city is Cape Town, on August 23, before journeying to Bloemfontein.
Motsatse has been home schooled, later travelling to Cape Town to develop her technical skills with the help of violin pedagogue Professor Jack De Wet.
Her concert here will see her share the stage with The Masidlale Music project, an outreach arm of The Cape Philharmonic Orchestra.
Motsatse’s partnership with Masidlale is to bring music education to previously disadvantaged communities and to increase the appreciation of classical music.
She will perform alongside Noluvuyo Nteta, a product of the Masidlale project, who is now a teacher for the project.
The line-up also includes a string quartet, pianist Keenan John Meyer and Motsatse’s younger sister Teboho Motsatse.
The violinist currently works under the umbrella of her mother’s company Fezeka Motsatse Activations, which specialises in building development programmes for young musicians, with a key focus on promoting music education and grooming young artists.
“These concerts are also an opportunity to develop classical music audience, to bring job creation to other musicians, to build social cohesion and to connect to other young musicians. The ultimate vision for these concerts is to inspire young people and to showcase their talent. We work with different brands, organisations and government to use music as a vehicle and tool to shape the children of this country for the better,” says Fezeka.
The Department of Arts and Culture have also jumped on board for Motsatse’s last two concerts.
Motsatse will perform at the Hugo Lambrechts Auditorium at 20 Picton Street in Parow on Sunday, August 23 at 3pm.
l Tickets: R50, Information: 082 784 2585, fezeka.motsatse@ vodamail.co.za