A group of six learners from Lentegeur Secondary are hoping to bring home R60 000 for their school by winning the Next Generation music competition.
The school is among eight other schools from Mitchells Plain taking part in the competition which has traditionally taken place live at the Promenade Mall, but due to Covid restrictions, the performers had to submit their applications online this year.
Avril April, teacher and group coordinator, said: “This year we have a group of six children from Grade 9 and 10 and the theme this year is, ‘If I ruled the world’.
“The children came up with their own little skit and wrote their own songs and made their own dances, they had to send their application via video and when they got into the finals, so we came to the studios here at Promenade to record it.”
The art teacher says the group consists of five girls and one boy but says winning is not the main aim.
“This competition is really the only platform these children have to showcase their talent, so they take it very seriously.
“Just competing and getting the chance to perform means everything to them and they are already over the moon with the small prizes they got for getting to the finals.
“The last time they performed in front of a crowd was in 2019 and they do miss it but they loved performing at the studio.”
The Next Generation competition has been running for 10 years and is open to all schools innie Plain.
Joining Lentegeur in the run for the R60 000 prize are Cedar High, Eastville Primary, Eisleben Road Primary, Spine Road High, West End Primary, Woodlands Secondary and Yellowwood Primary.
Promenade general manager, Brenda Bibby, says: “We not only see the remarkable talent that these learners possess, but also their incredible thought processes and hopeful vision for the future.”
The public can cast their votes for their favourite school for the Community Choice Award; voting closes on 25 November.
Vote at www.promenade.co.za/next-generation-musical-showcase/.