By Jonk wa Mashamba
news@alexreporter.co.za

The live performance during held at Itlhokomeleng Old Age Home, 8th Ruth could be heard as far as far as 13th avenue,Alexandra.

When we arrived, our crew couldn’t wait for many things, but to dance and forget their problems. The talented vocalists, Katlego Mohlola ,Nkululeko Neko and The Young Bloods band mesmerised almost everyone who had attended the event. They played African jazz and most of the elderly who were there were familiar with all the songs played, as they were used to listening to them during their times.

Mohlola who normally goes solo, is a gifted singer based in Pretoria. ” We play the old music with a young version,” said a man who began his music career in Mokopane, Limpopo. He says he stays with three of the band instrumentalists where they rented an apartment in Pretoria. The muso who did music lessons at a tertiary institution, says he dropped out of school due to financial constraints.

He says the band and him are members of Life Changing Ministry in Pretoria and always play worship together on Sundays. H e described his musical journey as tough, but said he would reach his dreams one day. “I want people to listen to my music each an every day. As soon as I fix my finances, I’m recording an album,” he said.

Founder of Itlhokomeleng Old Age Home, Dr Marjorie Manganye thanked Jesus Christ that she could still speak at the age of 92. ” I will always celebrate the birth of our first black president in South Africa, Nelson Mandela. This is the man who walked a very rocky road in order for all nations to come together and be one. We are one today because of that man. He has lived a life that was conducive enough for us, but he never enjoyed his own private life. Because he had to go and serve a sentence at Robben Island Prison.

” And our almighty God, you are so good that whenever we celebrate his birthday, we have people from all walks of lives comming to say, happy birthday . I thank every company that came with presents to hand over to our residents, to hand over to our outreach programme. The place is full as you can see, we have live band, people around,” said the mother of two and 12 grand children.

Manganye said the old age has been helping the community for the past 45 years. She said her staff is 73 with 110 residents and more than 300 outreach programmes.