THE AFRICAN YOUTH ENSEMBLE CHILDREN'S ORCHESTRA

Launched in 2000 by violin teacher Kolwane Mantu who started teaching in violin in Soweto over 20 years ago, The Children's Orchestra constitutes young children who have learnt how to play the violin. Their small instruments were donated by "The Peace Boat", an international educational and networking NGO from Japan, who visit various ports around the world and organise cultural exchanges with local communities.

The Youth Orchestra was recently performed with the National Youth Orchestra of the Netherlands. They have performed in the Youth Day Celebrations in Soweto (June 2000) and have played for Dr Nelson Mandela to celebrate the launch of the Alumini Programme of the Nelson Mandela Scholarship. Recently they performed for Portnet and played for three nights at the Vista University in Soweto to a number of visiting African American Professors.

The Orchestra's membership currently stands at 35 and is still growing.