Buskaid
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Buskaid is a musical charity offering high quality string tuition to underprivileged young people at its music school in the township of Soweto, Johannesburg.
We are a registered charity in South Africa, supported by UK and USA charitable trusts. Buskaid is a unique charitable initiative, which aims to give young people from Soweto, Johannesburg the opportunity to fulfil their musical and educational potential, through high quality string tuition at the Buskaid Music School, based in Diepkloof, Soweto. The charitable objectives of The Buskaid Trust are: to raise funds to support the musical education of children, youth, and young adults at the Buskaid Music School, Diepkloof, Soweto; to promote the performance of both classical music and African traditional music by young musicians residing principally in the South African township of Soweto; to benefit the public by enabling local and world-wide public performances presented by the Buskaid Soweto String Ensemble, through live concerts and on online platforms; to support the creation of employment opportunities for young black musicians through training and development schemes at the Buskaid Music School: e.g. teacher-training schemes, as well as apprenticeships in the maintenance and repair of musical instruments ; to address, through music education, the challenges caused by poverty and inequality which still exist in the townships of South Africa; to provide social and generational educational support for Buskaid students. The Buskaid Music School was founded by Rosemary Nalden in January 1997 in response to requests from the local community in Diepkloof Soweto. In 1999, Buskaid built its own dedicated Music School in Diepkloof, which currently comprises approximately 140 students and members, ranging in age from six to thirty-eight, all of whom are drawn from the less privileged local community. Since 2002 the Music School has run a teacher-training course for all its students; currently twelve senior Buskaid members are employed as highly skilled string teachers at the Music School, whilst several more are employed as string teachers at schools and institutions across South Africa. The Buskaid Soweto String Ensemble
In the twenty-three years of its existence, the Buskaid Music School has produced a senior string ensemble with a formidable reputation for high standards of performance and a sophisticated grasp of musical style. The Ensemble has toured internationally, performing with huge success in the UK, Europe, the USA, New Zealand, Botswana, Syria, Colombia, Brazil, and Réunion Island. The Ensemble has also played under the baton of Sir John Eliot Gardiner, with such distinguished artists as Melvyn Tan, Steven Isserlis and Karl Jenkins, and has given concerts in the presence of many dignitaries such as Nelson Mandela, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, and Mrs Michelle Obama. Student Achievements
Since 1997 several Buskaid students have attended prestigious British music colleges at tertiary level. Buskaid has also entered 121 candidates for ABRSM music examinations and diplomas, with a 100% pass rate - a tribute to these young people’s dedication and discipline. Those students who battle with problems such as difficult home circumstances, drug abuse and bereavement, find both support and solace at the Music School. Whilst providing a first-class training ground for the exceptional musical talent to be found throughout the townships, Buskaid also challenges its members to attain to high standards in all aspects of their lives, giving them confidence and a great sense of optimism about their future. In all senses they are role models and a fine example of how a modest endeavour can impact powerfully on both local and international communities.
07/10/2026
🎉🎶 Please join us in celebrating outstanding ABRSM results for !
Some of our students sat for their ABRSM practical exams last week — and we are thrilled to share that every single one achieved a distinction.🎆
✨ Khumo – Violin Grade 4 – 142/150
✨ Koketso – Violin Grade 3 – 136/150
✨ Karabelo – Double Bass Grade 5 – 140/150
✨ Khutso – Cello Grade 6 – 137/150
We are also incredibly proud of Lemogang (Double Bass), who received a glowing examiner’s report for his Grade 8 pieces — a testament to his hard work, musical maturity, and dedication.
These achievements reflect countless hours of practice, discipline, and the unwavering commitment of our young musicians and their teachers.
Congratulations to all — your family is so proud of you! 🎻💛
05/10/2026
Every year, our students leave the noise and pressure of township life behind and step into the peace of the African bush — and 2025 was one of our most inspiring workshops yet.
While preparing Telemann’s Don Quixote Suite, our young musicians channelled their creativity into a semi‑staged version of the story. With budding actors, a graphic design student, an architecture undergraduate, and even a talented seamstress in the group, imagination flourished in the beauty of Lapalala.
Alongside rehearsals, our junior ensemble enjoyed energetic sessions with Sonja and UK violinist Veronique Matarasso, whose enthusiasm lit up the camp.
Outdoor team‑building pushed everyone beyond their comfort zones — from obstacle courses to bush hikes and even handling a snake!
We are grateful to Italtile for funding this four-day workshop. ✨
28/09/2026
Did you know that the more people discover our organisation or watch any of our performances — the more young people ask if they can join our Music School in Diepkloof, Soweto?
The recent UK tour inspired a new wave of interest among children and teenagers in and around Soweto, many of whom see Buskaid students and think, “That could be me.”
For many young people in our community, Buskaid represents far more than learning how to play a music instrument. It offers:
🎻 A safe, structured environment
🎻 Daily access to world‑class music education
🎻 Mentorship from highly trained teachers
🎻 A pathway to international opportunities
🎻 A place to belong, grow, and dream
But here’s the challenge: we currently have more aspiring students than we can accommodate, and more on our waiting list.
To welcome these young musicians, we need to expand our teaching capacity, increase our enrolment intake, and strengthen the organisational foundations that make Buskaid possible.
This is where YOU can make a real difference.
💛 Donate today and help us welcome the next generation of Buskaid musicians 👉 https://www.givengain.com/donate/cc/36057?event=10965
24/09/2026
Today we celebrate the rich tapestry of cultures, languages, traditions, and living heritage that make South Africa the vibrant, diverse nation it is. Heritage Day honours the many communities whose stories, skills, music, rituals, and memories shape the country’s identity and continue to inspire future generations.
Our work at Buskaid is rooted in living heritage 🎻— the sharing of music, discipline, creativity, and community across generations.
Wishing you all a Happy Heritage Day!🧡
Our Beginner Class is hard at work — learning the Essential String Method approach with Buskaid-trained teachers, building confidence, and discovering the joy of making music together.✨
This short video captures the fun, discipline, and determination that define every stage of the Buskaid journey. These young musicians are laying the foundations for the exceptional performances you see on stage. This also provides skills-training and employment for the teachers who themselves are at professional performance level. Win win!
If this inspires you, please share the video or support Buskaid’s work - Email Charmaine | [email protected] to find out how. 🎻
10/09/2026
to the moment Buskaid was born (March 1992) — when founder Rosemary Nalden rallied her friends and colleagues in the UK to busk on street corners, train stations, and markets to raise funds for a small music project in Soweto. 🎻✨
What began as an act of fundraising, solidarity and creativity soon grew into a movement. Those early busking sessions sparked the vision that would become the Buskaid Music School and the world‑renowned Buskaid Soweto String Ensemble.
From busking for change to changing lives — this is where the story began. ❤️🇿🇦
You can watch the full video here ▶ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Np5M3MxdGI
The had the joy of performing at yesterday's Vukile Property Fund -Tenant Property Day at The Houghton Hotel in Johannesburg. ✨
Moments like these reveal the true power of performance—igniting confidence, building discipline, and connecting young musicians to a world far beyond the classroom.
Whether performing for an intimate gathering or a packed auditorium, every stage offers our musicians a chance to grow—to listen, respond, excel, and share the vibrant music that has become the heartbeat of their lives.
Our sincere thanks to Vukile Property Fund for this wonderful opportunity, for their warm hospitality, and for joining us in celebrating the extraordinary talent of the .🧡🎻
04/09/2026
We’re incredibly grateful to be featured on Good Things Guy this week. Thank you for the wonderful coverage of our story and the spotlight on our recent UK Tour.✨🧡
Read the full feature here: https://www.goodthingsguy.com/soweto-to-world-buskaid-shine-uk-stages/🎻
We can’t wait to share more videos and photos from our time in the UK — the incredible collaborations, the friendships formed, and the experiences that will stay with us for a lifetime. Stay tuned, there’s so much more to come.🤩
Ensemble Hesperi Continuo Foundation European String Teachers Association (ESTA UK)
From Soweto to the World: Buskaid’s Young Musicians Shine on UK Stages The Buskaid Soweto String Ensemble recently collaborated with the Ensemble Hesperi for a UK concert series titled Baroque Bridges.
28/08/2026
Our would not be complete without Keabetswe Goodman. ✨✨
Keabetswe joined Buskaid as a 9‑year‑old violin student and has grown into one of our most dedicated leaders. Today she is our Senior Assistant Teacher, guiding junior violinists every Saturday, supporting the Junior Ensembles on Sundays, teaching individual lessons during the week, and serving as principal Second Violin in the Ensemble. She is also Buskaid’s chief music librarian and performs with professional orchestras in Johannesburg.🎻
Keabetswe embodies excellence, commitment, and the spirit of Buskaid. We are proud to celebrate her and some of the extraordinary women who contribute to the success that is Buskaid, this Women’s Month.🧡🤎🖤
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