Busking for a living in the quaint village of Kalk Bay, Morne Holland has been entertaining locals and tourists alike for years.
With a chance, Holland was accepted to participate in the Cape Town Arts Festival (CTAF) Beyond Busking programme, where he was chosen to learn song writing under the mentorship of Clive Ridgway which has now led to him writing and releasing his own original song.
“I’ve been busking for five to six years in Simon’s Town, Green Market Square and Kalk Bay to provide for my family.
“And it’s not always that busking goes well, like today, but we are going into the holiday season soon so it should pick up.”
After auditioning for the Beyond Busking Programme run by the Cape Town Arts Festival, Holland completed his song writing course with flying colours.
The 13-week pilot project consisted of training which included vocal development, life mentorship, and stage presence, with the CTAF has culminated into a new hit song “I am a Busker”.
“Beyond Busking is a programme to help buskers get noticed because there are so many out there singing, who are talented and do it for extra income,” Holland says of the programme.
“I joined the auditions and went, though it was the first time I went to the Good Hope Castle and after that the songwriting programme.
“Because of this programme I got the opportunity to write my own song.”
Yusuf Ganief, Festival CEO, describes Holland as “likely to become a sought-after performer” and songwriter.
“He will most likely become a sought-after singer, song writer and performer, going beyond the life of a struggling busker to a fully-fledged professional musician.”
His new song “I am a busker” is a tribute to all buskers struggling out there with a sound that is delightfully Capetonian, added Ganief.
“Many of us have heard the rich baritone sounds of Morne’s voice floating out of the subway of Kalk Bay.
“With his newfound creative talent and song writing ability, this may not be the case for much longer. We are excited about the new partnership between the Waterfront Busking Programme and the Beyond Busking Project.”
He added that the Western Cape has a “wealth of talent” performing on the streets.
“With an upliftment programme like the Beyond Busking project, an exciting journey of transformation for a few selected buskers, we witness how baby steps in the area of skills development and opportunity can change the destiny of individuals whose plight appear to be hopeless.”
“If we have changed the lives of a few buskers, then they in turn can inspire others.”
The Cape Town Arts Festival is expected to launch at the Castle of Good Hope on Saturday 29 October where Morne will perform alongside other buskers and headline artists which will include top local musicians, poetry workshops and performances.
