There are many musically inclined families in Cape Town and this week I have the honour of speaking of one such a family the Butlers.
The Butler brand for most of us is largely associated with the Grammy award-winning song, Please Stay, performed by the world-renowned vocalist and songwriter, Jonathan Butler.
WORLD-RENOWNED: Jonathan doing his thing
However, Jonathan is not the only Butler who can sing. They are a family of singers and performers - from Sandra Butler and uncle Danny Butler, to Vicky Butler and Veronica Butler, who were all household names on the cabaret scene in the ’70s and ’80s.
Their father also owned a minstrel troupe back in the day.
As musicians, the Butlers also made their mark, with elder brothers Ponties, Paul Tony and Tracy Greg still being recognised and respected by the older generation.
One is only as great as the platform you start from, and for the Butlers that platform was gifted to them by their grandfather Abraham Butler, aka Oupa Kool, and his wife Elizabeth.
I had the privilege of working with the great Danny Butler on David Kramer’s remake of Kat and the Kings: The Musical, where I was the understudy for the male performers.
Oom Daan, as we called him, has one of the best cabaret voices in Kaapstad, perfect comic timing and heaps of charisma that is second to none.
With that said, the legacy has now moved on to the next generation in the form of Michael-John Sias.
He started where his grandfather did so many years ago by opening up a minstrel troupe in the heart of Elsies River, under the brand Butler’s Youth Development.
The klops was started four years ago and have been competing under the Cape District Minstrel Board.
The prime focus of the klops was to provide the youth of Elsies with a positive influence in the form of music and minstrels.
When I asked Mr Sias why he is not taking the klops to Cape Town stadium, he said: “Ons speel nog ou klops en daar is net sieke ag teame, maar ons maak lekker sports daar.
“Maybe one day, as ons reg is, sal ons gaan compete met die big guns, maar vir nou is ons baie heppie waar ons is. Ons speel vir die liefde.”
Mr Sias went on to say that he admires the City of Cape Town for what they are doing for klops right now and hopes that their board might, in time, also get some financial assistance as the troupes are struggling at the moment.
Hence any sponsorships and donations is welcomed, be it in the form of gear or instruments.
Mr Sias says The Butler Youth Development is not only about klopse; they also offer their youngsters life skills and assistance in growing their potential in areas other than music.
POSITIVE INFLUENCE: Butler's Youth Development which is based in Elsies River
This is a relatively new baby, and it is a self-funded project by the Butlers, with some contributing money, and others their musical skills.
This is why fundraising is an important factor to them and this weekend they are hosting a fundraiser at St. Monica’s Church hall, next to KFC in Halt Road, Elsies River, on Saturday.
Please do support one of the Cape’s renowned musical families in their venture to make a difference in their community, especially if you are residing in the Elsies area.
For additional information, you can contact Michael-John Sias on 083 669 7623.
If you are a business owner looking to sponsor a worthy cause, you won’t find better than the Butler Youth Development.
As Mr Sias says: “A child in sport is a child out of court.”
I would like to extend a personal message of appreciation to all the Butlers for their contribution to the local arts over the years.
Thank you for the music, and may the Butler legacy continue to prosper.