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The Students

The students participating in AMP! come from three different schools, all of which are situated in the township in Grahamstown. These schools are Khutliso Daniels, Ntsika Secondary School and Nombulelo Secondary School. Gareth and Shiloh specifically decided to only select students from these three schools in order to restrict the amount of students who apply as well as to ensure that direct contact with the schools could be maintained. There are different reasons for the selection of each of these schools. Firstly, Nombulelo Secondary School was chosen based on its location, the school is adjacent to where AMP! holds its lessons. As such students can walk across to the project once school closes. Secondly, Khutliso Daniels was chosen because its principal, Mr Z. R. Mcuba, has a degree in music and could therefore relate to the projects aims. Lastly, Ntsika Secondary School was chosen because of the connection that Gareth has with the principal, Madeleine Schoeman, having worked with her previously. 

The number of students enrolled with the project differs from year to year. Although the project aims to take on new students each year, they have been unable to do so for the past two years as they have not had funding for new students. Below is an infographic detailing the amount of students who have passed through AMP!’s doors since its inception.

There are many reasons why students part ways with AMP!. Some of these reasons are:

  • Some were trying it out and realised the programme wasn't for them

  •  Some moved to another town

  •  Some parents wanted the children to focus more on academic work, or learners chose to focus more on academic work

  •  Learners involved in many after school programmes sometimes have to choose which one to prioritise

  •  If the students lives took a turn for the worse it resulted in them dropping out of school and AMP!

There are several things that the students can do once they leave the project. They can decide to take their music education further and go study at a tertiary institution. If they don’t want to study further they can begin an apprenticeship and grow their musical capabilities in a more practical environment. Being a musician, however, does not have to be their primary career field. The Arts and Entertainment industry is one which is underfunded in South Africa. For those who do not wish to become musicians, they can help the industry in other ways, for example they can become lawyers and try to fight for the industry to receive more funding. 

There are a few students, however who have been with AMP! since the very beginning. Here are stories from two of them. 

Thamsanqa 'Pani' Madubela

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