Maria Botha

Maria Botha/Muzukidz

Maria Botha, the founder of Muzukidz, today shares how the gift of music is changing the lives of children across South Africa.

Maria was introduced to the violin before she could even read or write, and after school she made her way to France to study under the leadership of Christophe Bossuat at the Suzuki Institute.

Maria became a teacher and after eight years in Europe, she returned to South Africa to teach the Suzuki method and has put this experience to use coordinating the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra’s township-based outreach programme in three townships in Cape Town; Nyanga, Langa and Gugulethu for five years.

“My years in the township made me discover the amazing potential of children living in areas where very little stimulating activities are offered such as music or arts and culture.”

During her time in the township, Maria saw a need for children from all backgrounds to interact musically in a safe space and in 2015, Maria founded Muzukidz.

Since its founding, Muzukidz has created a platform where children and their families from all economic and cultural backgrounds can learn and play together.

The aim of Muzukidz is to offer children the opportunity to develop their music skills in the hopes of opening up further possibilities within the music industry.

“Through this long term investment in the lives of children, Muzukidz creates possibilities to find study bursaries, employment in music careers, and to share expertise with other disadvantaged youth.”

Currently, Muzukidz has 4 teachers that are teaching 350 primary school children how to play the violin for free.