Njabulo Mtshali (Durban)

2000 Norwegian Exchange
Njabulo was one of the first two Norwegian exchange students in 2000. He became a wonderful euphonium player and upon his return joined the SA Navy Band in Simonstown. .  He played there until 2006 when he moved to the Bisho Police Band. Upon his arrival there he volunteered as a teacher in the Mdantsane Field Band near East London. Sadly Njabulo was killed in a car accident in 2008.

Riaan van Heerden (Port Elizabeth)

2000 Norwegian Exchange

Riaan went with Njabulo in 2000 to Norway. His gift lies in teaching and upon his return he established the Cullinan field band and then moved to East London where he was band coordinator for that area. He then left the FBF but has rejoined as the Band Coordinator in Port Elizabeth his home
town.

Andes Doubell (Port Elizabeth)

2001 Norwegian Exchange

Andes returned from Norway and joined the head-office as assistant administrator for two years. He then left the FBF to join Alexander Forbes. However in 2008 Andes returned to the FBF and was appointed as the National Project Officer in the Johannesburg National Office of the FBF.

Takatso Mtswene (Soweto)

2001 Norwegian Exchange

After the USA Exchange and Norwegian Exchange programmes Takatso continued to teach in the Foundation until 2008. He then auditioned successfully for the Air Force Band where he is now working. As this is mainly a morning session situation Takatso is able to also be the Band Coordinator for the Soweto Field Band

Simon Skafu (Stellenbosch)

2001 Norwegian Exchange
Simon is from the Western Cape and joined the FBF in 1999. He has always been a very responsible young man and due to his dedication and hard work he was chosen as one of the Norwegian exchange students in 2001.
On his return from Norway he served his one-year dedication period in the Foundation. Simon completed his grape agriculture studies and now works for the Delheim Estate in Stellenbosch as a wine grower.

Neville Arnolds (Stellenbosch)

2002 Norwegian Exchange
Neville has been with the Foundation since 1997. He went on the Norwegian Exchange and improved his technique on the drums. On his return he continued to serve as a tutor in the Stellenbosch Field Band but also established his own Jazz Band. He does a lot of gigs around Stellenbosch and we are delighted to say that Neville is still the pit /percussion tutor in the Field Band in Stellenbosch.

Keith Esau (Port Elizabeth)

2003 Norwegian Exchange

Keith has always been with the Foundation and upon his return to SA worked in Port Elizabeth as a tutor. At the beginning of 2006 he started a Music Diploma at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University. He has rejoined the
FBF in 2009 and is now the Brass tutor in Plettenberg Bay.

Ashton Dolph (Port Elizabeth)

2003 Norwegian Exchange

Ashton took part in the USA Exchange and Norwegian Exchange and upon his return went to University in PE 2006. He received a bursary from the Foundation with the help of the MAID Foundation. He is now a teacher for the Eastern Cape Philharmonic Orchestra.

2004 Norwegian Exchange

Bheki is a wonderful tuba player and he successfully auditioned for the Air Force Band and joined them at the beginning of 2007. Like with Takatso they mostly only work in the mornings so he has now been appointed the Band Coordinator for the Field Band in Springs.

Eldrin Elie (Port Elizabeth)

2005 Norwegian Exchange

Eldrin is probably musically one of the strongest talents the FBF has and he is completing his first year at NMMU in PE this year. However when the Trondheim University in Norway approached us for a scholarship for one of our students we have recommended Eldrin to them. In 2009 he left the FBF to study music at that University.

Jacob Mhlaping (Soweto)

2005 Norwegian Exchange

Jacob joined the FBF in 1997 and it has been part of his life ever since. He was chosen for both the USA and Norwegian Exchange programmes and after a period of being a brass tutor in the Witbank Field Band he was appointed as the Band Coordinator for the Alexandra Field Band in Johannesburg.

Tembisa Vusani (East London)

2005 Norwegian Exchange
Tembisa has been an FBF member since 2000, She is the percussion tutor in East London and administrative officer.

Lionel Ndlovu (Kimberley)

2005 Norwegian Exchange

Lionel joined the field band in 2000 until 2002 as a member and came back as a tutor-in-traning in 2005 for two years. He is a tuba player. During his time in the field band he learned that a lot can be achieved through hard work and preseverance. Lionel is currently a part time recorder tutor for MAIS’s Development Initiative

Xolani Qoma (Port Elizabeth)

2006 Norwegian Exchange

Xolani is an excellent arranger and since his return he was the Band Coordinator for the Alexandra Field Band. He also arranged the prescribed piece for the National championships 2 years in a row. Presently he is the Band Coordinator for the Plettenberg Bay Field Band.

Heidiry White (Port Elizabeth)

2006 Norwegian Exchange

Heidery has been with the FBF since 1997 and upon her return was appointed the Pit percussion tutor in the Port Elizabeth Field Band. She was appointed as Band Coordinator of the Port Elizabeth field band in 2008. Presently she is the assistant administrative officer for the FBF Academy in Eshowe.

Nomvula Magedi (Springs)

2006 Norwegian Exchange

Nomvula is studying Marketing at a college in Springs but still helps out at the Field Band in Springs.

Angelo Adams (Stellenbosch)

2006 Norwegian Exchange

The FBF supported Angelo for two years at University after which he decided to take a teaching position at a small school in Paarl. The FBF was disappointed that he did not complete his studies but he is enjoying
the teaching

Moira Thomas (Kimberley)

2007 Norwegian Exchange

Moira was identified as a leader within the FBF at an early age and upon her return from Norway she was immediately appointed as the Band Coordinator for the Cullinan Field Band. She is one of the strongest leaders of the FBF.

Nolubabalo Piyose (East London)

2007 Norwegian Exchange

Nolubabalo is a wonderful trumpeter and after two years as the Brass tutor of the Cullinan Field Band she is now the brass tutor in Plettenberg Bay. She is presently studying at the FBF Academy.

Phumezo Hlanganise (East London)

2007 Norwegian Exchange

Peter Wonci (Port Elizabeth)

2007 Norwegian Exchange

Peter came back from Norway and was appointed the Pit percussion tutor in Witbank. He also expressed an interest in making and tuning steel drums and in 2008 the FBF put him in a steel drum tuning training course and he is now also the steel drum tuner of the FBF. Recently he has moved to the Alexandra field band which makes it easier for him to move around the country to tune the steel drums.

Hyson Kilani  (Kimberley)

Hyson joined the field band in August 2003. He started with the trumpet but ended up playing the tuba. He went on the 2008 USA Exchange where he did himself proud. Hyson is presently studying at the FBF Academy he says “The field band teaches us a lot of things, but the most important thing theyfocus on is respect, disipline and punctuality. The field band creates a lot ofopportunities for everyone there. As for me, I’ve had the chance to travel allover South Africa and now I have a chane to study for free.”

Drew-Ann van der Berg (Kimberley)

Drew-Ann is a trumpet player and joined the field band in 2002. After playing in the band for six years, she left in 2007. During these six years she “learned how to communicate” with her fellow band members and realized her passion for music. With the field band she got to develop this passion she had and got the opportunities to perform and grow. Drew-Ann is currently a third year B.Mus student at the University of PE and a member of the Eastern Cape Police Band

James Ndlovu  (Kimberley)

He was a Brass tutor with the FBF for many years and again after many workshop and lots of training we assisted him to audition for the Kroonstad Police Band where he is now employed.

Monwabisi Bangiwe  (Kimberley)

Starting as a little dancer in the FBF he quickly become the dance tutor in Kimberley. His gifts were obvious. We were fortunate to secure a bursary for him to the Tswane University of Technology Dance School where he successfully completed his three-year Dance Diploma at the end of 2005. He immediately found employment in the production “Fangs” with Bill Flynn and in 2007 auditioned successfully for the “Lion King”, which kept him busy until the end of 2008. Presently his is dancing in the Lion King in Hamburg Germany but still teaches for the FBF when he is in the country. We also use him at our workshops as he is the perfect role model for our members.

Willem Visser (Kimberley)

He has also been with the band since 2001 and is studying computer science also at the Northern Cape FET College with an FBF bursary. He is also doing well and passed all his subjects in 2008. He will be a pit tutor in one of our new projects in 2009

Nathan Lawrence (Stellenbosch)

Nathan has been with the Foundation since 1997 and always showed extraordinary dedication. He has worked very hard and did well at school, which meant that he could go straight to University. He is presently a student at the Stellenbosch University and in January 2010 he will join the KZN Philharmonic as a cadet.

Adrian Philander

Adrian took part in the USA Exchange programme of the FBF and served as a member and tutor for many years. He then trained as a paramedic and is working for Metro EMF. He is called an Emergency Care Practitioner- basic.

Joswin Paulse (Stellenbosch)

Joswin Paulse was part of the USA Exchange programme and a long time members of the Cape Whaler’s Field Band in Stellenbosch. He still helps as a tutor there on occasion. He is a fourth year International Studies student at Stellenbosch University - the FBF supports part of his studies. He has done exceptionally well and what is so wonderful is that he still teaches for the Field Band in Stellenbosch when he has the time.

Sibisiso Ndlovu (Durban)

S’bu is a long standing member of the FBF and has been part of tours and workshops for many years. With the help of the FBF he completed a 3 year course in journalism. He is a dance tutor for the Durban Field Band.

Thando Buthelezi

Thando joined the FBF in 2001 as a steel drum player, but with her leadership abilities she was soon appointed as the Band Coordinator for the PG Bison Buccaneers Field Band. With the support of the FBF she is completing her CIS Qualification and has now joined the FBF National Office as its Financial and Administrative Assistant.

Skumbuzo Madondo

A member of the PG Bison Buccaneers for many years he completed his Heavy Current license in 2008 with the assistance of the FBF. Transnet spotted his potential and immediately offered him employment. He still volunteers at the Field Band over the weekends.

2009 Norwegian Exchange
Brass

2009 Norwegian Exchange
Brass

2009 Norwegian Exchange
Percussion

2009 Norwegian Exchange
Brass

2010 Participant
Brass

Freddy Mondhlana (Witbank)

2010 Participant
Brass

2010 Participant
Brass

Micheal Isaacs

2010 Participant
Brass

Boy Boshiane (Cullinan)

2010 Participant
Brass