13 Jun 2018

More often than not, a lot of people still feel academics are the only form of education a student needs to have a good life.

Nevertheless, education is not only fundamentally maneuvering through the syllabus and passing the examinations, it is relatively about complete personality development.

Such a view is shared by the legend of Tonota Junior Secondary School (JSS) musical band, Goitseone Taolo, who believes everyone is set apart for a different purpose and carries a unique talent with them.

The former student at Molepolole College of Education (MCE) participation in marimba, choral and music band nurtured his passion in music and led to a musical career in 2010.

Upon furthering studies in music at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, Taolo returned home and established a musical band at Tonota JSS in 2016.

“The musical band helps in developing the character of a child. I discovered there are students who are academically challenged yet they have something they can pride themselves with.

I like engaging students in a practical sense because it makes theory easy, and I also get to learn what they have a passion for,” he noted.

This helps them figure out what they like, future hobbies or even create self awareness and help them build confidence, he said.

Taolo, who started the band from humble beginnings, was forced to use his personal musical instruments to teach students as the school had only a public address (PA) system. He never gave up despite the school having no funds to buy instruments as the band was considered an extra- curricular activity.

Knowing the worth of the band, he and his new co-worker Kabelo Diphatsa never rested until they came up with an initiative to help students who progress to Shashe River Senior School as a lot of talent was lost.ENDS