Thunk A Cappella's Cape Town Project

South Africa's young democracy faces an uphill battle in its quest to erase the legacy of Apartheid and establish a system that allows equal rights and opportunities to all its nation’s citizens. Cape Town in particular is in the process of developing its weak infrastructure, shrinking the enormous gap between rich and poor, and combating the HIV/AIDS virus that infects 5.7 million South Africans and causes almost 1,000 deaths per day. Along with these already devastating issues, there exists the sad reality of South Africa’s two-tiered educational system, which fails to deliver equal opportunities and resources to the children of South Africa. The current funding scheme in Cape Town and area schools only covers primary schooling, and an overall lack of resources has led to dilapidated classrooms lacking toilets and windows in some impoverished (and primarily black) communities. As the government focuses on delivering basic needs like textbooks and electricity in schools and community centers, it diverts its attention and resources from any arts education programs. Many children lack the most basic listening devices that would allow for exposure to music outside of the classroom. This trend sadly demonstrates how music’s unparalleled ability to empower and inspire young students—especially those in need—is often overlooked. Keeping in mind the statistical evidence demonstrating arts education’s capacity to deter delinquent behavior and bridge the achievement gap across socioeconomic levels, Thunk believes it is incredibly important that South African students be afforded the opportunity to learn the lifelong lessons that art teaches us. The government’s severe lack of funding has left a gaping hole in the intellectual and creative development of South African children. Thunk aims to fill this void by delivering its arts education workshops to schools throughout the Western Flats.