Masi Violin Outreach: How two best friends orchestrate joy for youth in their township

Today, he’s a music maestro. But at the age of 12, the violin was a foreign concept to Ayabonga Tshemese. “I thought it was like a guitar,” he chuckles. “I didn't even know the name of this instrument.” In the township of Masiphumelele, Ayabonga was fortunate to encounter a group of kids playing the violin as part of the Masi Violin Project, a non-profit dedicated to providing free music education. Intrigued by its sound and power, Ayabonga joined the programme. It was there that he met Onke Mbopha – a then 10-year-old who was just as eager to learn this somewhat strange instrument. Over a decade later, Onke and Ayabonga are now best friends bonded by their love of music and their shared commitment to orchestrating hope and unity for kids in their community. 

As part of Masi Violin Project’s legacy project, Onke and Ayabonga are skilled violin teachers themselves, giving free, twice-weekly violin lessons to learners aged six to 21. For the 64 kids who are part of the programme this year, the classroom is a space of much fun and friendship. But when the bows are drawn, they get into musician mode – motivated by Ayabonga, Onke, and the Masi Violin Outreach team who’ve encouraged them to see this not as just an after-school activity to pass the time, but as an opportunity to develop what could be a future in music. “They get their own violin, get to take ownership of the musical journey, and get to engage with professional musicians,” Onke explains. 

Recently, the kids performed in front of the renowned Cape Philharmonic Orchestra – boosting their confidence and pride. This is in addition to numerous concerts at various local schools, the Masi Community Hall, and even Cafe Roux – a local live music venue that has hosted some of South Africa’s biggest local musicians. 

Over a decade ago, curiosity over a violin brought Onke and Ayabonga together. Today, it’s the sounds of their strings that are drawing in the next generation of budding musicians and showing them just what they’re capable of. “Violin is not a usual instrument but here at Masi, it changed my life,” Ayabonga says.