The Fabulous Woodstock Starites, one of the oldest teams in the klopse fraternity, is proudly celebrating their 45th anniversary this season.
They say that one should not mix culture and religion, but I believe it is important not to forget your religious beliefs and one should not place your culture above your religion.
I can proudly say that when it comes to the time for the Muslim prayers, all the klopse stop their activities to give their Muslim members the opportunity to go and pray.
The Fabulous Woodstock Starlites is one of those teams who pride themselves in upholding all religious beliefs at their klopskamer.
Public relations officer, Mr. Shahied Wentzel, says: “We are a family team who believes that there should be a good balance between our sport and religion and about two years ago we started an affiliation with Madrassah tun Nur, a hifz school and each year we have a thikr where the hifz school under the leadership of Sheikh Nur Scott completes a Ghatam Al Quran (complete recital of the Quran).”
Wentzel says Sheikh Nur Scott also serves as the spiritual leader of the team and is always available to guide especially the youth.
It is good to have such positive spiritual leadership and role models right there in a klopskamer and I personally admire the Woodstock Starlites for this.
FUNDRAISE: Shadley Schroeder will sing. Picture: David Richie.
I have personal experience of Sheikh Nur Scott and his interest in the youth and his humility and eagerness to help anyone.
He made himself available one hour before the time to perform my child’s name-giving ceremony and afterwards refused to take a slawat (donation) saying: “We are here for you and not for the slawat.”
Hence I know that the Starlites has gold in their spiritual leader.
Under the leadership of the late legend, Boeta Dienie Ragham, the Fabulous Woodstock Starlites was already an amazing team and now under the guidance of Boeta Ebraheem Ismail and the current executive and directors, I can see that they have managed to maintain their values and this is admirable from an outsider’s point of view.
Don’t misunderstand; the Fabulous Woodstock Starlites is still very much a klopse team and a force to be reckoned with.
This was made clear by Wentzel, who says: “Our aim has always been to remain the same throughout the years and that is to compete in all the items, but the objective is to do it with our own people.
“We don’t use any hired guns, be it choirs or soloists.
“ Onse eie mense sing. Jy moet ’n Starlite wies om vir ons te represent in ’n competition.”
EVENT: Mujahid George will be on stage. Picture: Supplied.
They have acquired the services of Thaabied Dante and Boeta Ebrahim says they are excited about this and want to maintain their prize moppie from last season, and perhaps improve on some other singing items as well.
Their young dynamic singpak mostly consists of their own members who last season formed part of their junior choir.
Practices take place at the Artscape Theatre every Sunday at 3pm and there are salaah and wudhu (ablution) facilities available.
Anyone who is interested in joining the singpak can contact Shahied on 078 121 3145 via Whatsapp.
The team is hosting a fundraiser at the Cape Town City Hall on Saturday at 8pm.
SENSATION: Krista Jones is part of the line-up. Picture: Jack Lestrade.
The line-up includes some of Cape Town’s best local performers such as Mujahid George, Shadley Schroeder, the Vuvu Khumalo Band, Shakier, Toby, Tolla Funny Kaap, Krista Jonas and more.
All the proceeds are going towards the club and Boeta Ebrahim says it’s going to be a nostalgic night. He encourages people to support them in helping to make a difference in their community both culturally and spiritually.
For tickets, you can contact him on 082 216 7022 via Whatsapp.
With that said the Fabulous Woodstock Starlites will always be close to my heart as they were the first team I sang for, so I will definitely go out to the City Hall on Saturday night to show my support.