Gift of sight for choir

2:15pm Friday 25th April 2008

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A SOUTH African teenager who could not afford to have an eye test or buy glasses in his home country, is to be seen by Malmesbury opticians.

Pholoso Diraditsile, 14, together with ten other teenagers from the shanty towns around Johannesburg, are staying with host families. They form the African Kidzsing Choir which will be performing all over the region.

Elaine Johnson, who will be looking after Pholoso during his stay, organised a special eye examination after hearing about his sight problems.

Mrs Johnson said: "I was told he needed his eyes checked out and that he couldn't afford glasses in South Africa, so I thought why not get it done here?

"These youngsters haven't had a very good start in life and they come from very poor backgrounds. What could be better then the gift of sight?

"This will really make a difference to Pholoso and hopefully make his stay here even more enjoyable."

The visit has been organised by music producer Dave Bankhead, who lives in Malmesbury.

He said: "We learnt this boy needed an eye test but it was very expensive in South Africa.

"I am sure it will make his trip over here extra special and I am sure the tour families will be also be going out of their way to look after the others."

A spokesman for Haine and Smith opticians said: "Pholoso definitely needed glasses. Without them he certainly would have had trouble reading so it was great that we have been able to help him."

The group are all aged between ten and 16 and have never left Johannesburg until now.

"They are beside themselves with excitement at being here," Mr Bankhead said.

"They are extremely talented and they sing, but their dancing has to be seen to be believed."

Mr Bankhead makes gospel and church music CDs and first came across the choir while visiting South Africa a few years ago.

He said: "I recorded a CD called Heal Africa and worked with these kids and recorded them singing.

"Then we decided to try and bring them over here to perform.

"They mostly live in shanty and they all come from poor backgrounds. Many of them are also orphans.

The Kidzsing Choir is organised by South Africans who together with Mr Bankhead, have planned the trip to England. The visit has been funded mainly with donations.

The climax of their visit will be a special concert they are giving at Malmesbury Abbey on May 1