The occasion was a recent gala concert in Swakopmund as part of the tenth anniversary celebrations of the choir.

In the ten years of its existence this choir has held many concerts, participated in workshops and shared performances with a number of choirs outside the country and won wide acclaim in Namibia, South Africa, North America and Europe.

There can be little doubt that through applying themselves they have achieved excellence, as was evident from the appreciation shown by the audience.

Young people from different population groups, backgrounds and cultures have been brought together in the choir and taught to master the content and skills of choir singing.

Together with the musical experience has come schooling in discipline and work ethic.

The result: an impressive group capable of extraordinary achievements.

Sound schooling in basic knowledge, skills and values as well as inspiration to achieve in school and life thereafter.

Is this not what we should equip our youth with? If yes, are we - I, you the parents, teachers, education authorities, government - doing our duty? Judging by reports coming to us through the media and by what we see in life around us, obviously not: ridiculously low reading, writing and arithmetic skills, high rate of exam failures and school drop-outs, lack of discipline and work ethics, alcohol, drug abuse and addiction, low moral standards to name but a few.

In contrast, children and young people such as those in the Mascato choir can say: look at us; our talents, skills and sense of values have been properly developed for what we are required to be and do; we have achieved excellence and find immeasurable joy in demonstrating this.

Are we not under an obligation to enable the school-going youth of our country to confidently make similar statements.

Nico Pienaar Swakopmund

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