At the Borderline 5: Future of an entire continent

"Four to six million people in South-Africa live on the edge of society: "At the borderline". These people are housed living in bad conditions in hovels with corrugated iron roofs in the townships. The Field Band Foundation has set its goals for the last ten years for the children of these neighbourhoods to give them chances for a better future through dance, show and music. In part 5 we sit down with the Board of Directors of the Foundation and review our visit with the field band of Macassar." Written by Geert Vanmaeckelberghe, translation: Hans Kloppert.


Future of an entire continent

Tonight we're having dinner with the Chairman of the Field Band Foundation, Brian Gibson. Also the vice-chairman Herman Mashaba and his lovely wife are joining us as well. For the Vlamo delegation this is a great honour. Dressed in our suits we take place at the table.

Chairman Brian explains: "In 1994 when times changed youngsters saw the US marching bands at work. They enjoyed this and thought it was attractive except for the military style. They associated this with the violence they had known from the Apartheid era in South Africa. They would like to execute their own style which goes back to the source of making music: music from the heart. Passion,.. everything is all about passion!

"Everywhere in South Africa people are awaiting the formation of field bands" Herman Mashaba continues. "Also Zambia and Botswana are on the waiting list!" He is in it for the kids, for the life values. For the future of an entire continent: Africa!



Music from the heart

Thursday March 22, 2007 - The Table Mountain s a massive mountain range that got its name from its levelled surface, today completely wrapped in clouds. We're leaving Cape Town and are driving around it. The houses here are larger and better maintained. Alongside the 'Valsbaai' we're heading towards Macassar. The beauty of the coast and dunes is suddenly disrupted by a mass of corrugated roofs. The township is spread as far as the eye can see. The presence of so much poverty can hardly be believed.


Even though this is not the first time we're confronted with this, we simply cannot get used to it. Here are the children living that the Field bands are aiming at. We should pull ourselves together and see things positively. The comparison with the proverbial "drop in the ocean" could easily upset you. Retha Cilliers starts her story: "In this area drugs are the main problem. Christal Meths is a new and cheap drug and causes immense grief and harm. It is cheap and one is addicted instantly. It affects the  nervous system and destroys lives. The Field Band Foundation project will have to bring chances for a better future here as well."

We are leaving the endless dunes, the dilapidated hovels are now brick houses that have been there for a few decades. It is quiet in the car when we enter the local schoolyard. The Macassar Field Band is busy practicing.


A large group of dancers is warming up with stretch exercises. An enthused 15-year-old boy instructs the dance. He does it with charisma. There is no doubt about it. He has got a great talent for dance and performance. Support, coaching and education would work miracles here. For the first time I see a Field band with a color guard and flags. Until I am leaving the school I have not seen any of the members actually use the flags. The flags are worn out and torn.

The brass section has also started its warm-up. I am impressed by a small group with soprano, mellophone, baritone and contra. It is a team at work here. For the first time I am witnessing a uniform posture, and  timed horns-up and down movements. Here the members are playing from the heart as well.


The drumline is playing with matched grip.  The instruments are very old. No high tension snares, but a snare sound typifying Africa! These musicians have enough technique, sense of rhythm and persuasiveness! Bass drum, cymbal, snare and tenor produce some neat music. The front percussion ensemble with marimba and steel drum is supported by djembé players. Anything goes when the senior drumline gives their instruments to the younger recruits. With charm and an unprecedented dedication they perform a good ensemble. Matched grip, dynamics, technique, a good piece of music. And the dedication... Unbelievable!

In contrast to the previous field bands the official language here is 'Afrikaans' and the musicians not only black but also coloured persons. A step into the ultimate dream of the Field Band Foundation: a multi-color field band with black, Asian, coloured and white, to qualify it the way it was done in the abominable division the Apartheid regime used.


Two blonde girls are watching from the sideline. They are observing, taking photos, enjoying themselves and noticing things are going well. They have been here teaching the field bands of Dobsonville (Soweto), Macassar and Stellenbosch  for the last nine months. This was realized through an exchange programme that the NMF (Norwegian Musikkorps Forbund) has initiated. We get a chance to interview them extensively. We got a chance to chat with them extensively. The interview can be read in part 6 of 'At the Borderline'.

Geert Vanmaeckelberghe
Links: www.fieldband.org.za, www.musikkorps.no