African music rocks

The universal language: Assistant lecturer in African music Zweli Tukayi has developed a close friendship with his international students.

While many local young people see African music as outdated, the African music practical course at UCT is fast becoming popular among international students.

This semester, 42 students from around the globe have enrolled for the semester-long programme, and loving it.

One of them is Evin Brege, an international relations student from the Washington University in the US.

"I was interested in playing African drums and experiencing the practicality that comes with it," he said.

The course saw Brege and his classmates learning how to play drums, xylophones and mouth bows, among other instruments.

"The instruments are very different to the rock and roll type I'm used to," says Brege. "I'm hoping to take some of these instruments home."

Zweli Tukayi, who is assisting lecturer Dizu Plaatjies in the course, said the class had become a family of sorts, sharing and enjoying each other's company.