Fear not! The Melville good news bearers are here! This week's post is on a Wednesday—there was a delay on the history piece we had prepared for this week, but we're shuffling it to next week. Trust us, it's definitely worth the wait!

In today’s newsletter,

• Bakang Sehole: Melville’s Festive Street Musician 🎷

• The Melville Market Turns 1 🎂

• Joburg Water Works On Main 🚰

Let’s go

— Aubrey Moloto, Kele Jackson, Sihle Delport-Wetselaar

The Digest

Bakang Sehole: Melville’s Festive Street Musician 🎷

Remember the chap dressed as Santa playing saxophone through our streets on Christmas and most recently Easter? The one who adds an extra sprinkle of joy to our festive moments? His name is Bakang, and he has a burning passion for music and a knack for sharing it with people at a time they may need to hear it most. 

Since 2015, Bakang has created a tradition of jamming tunes during holidays, walking up and down the streets. He hopes his talents can "make people happy," adding an extra ounce of special to these moments we celebrate each year.

Sadly, his last Easter busk ended in tragedy with a traumatic event. But the Melville community came to the rescue in classic Melville style, and we, the Melville good news bearers, had to tell you about it so we can celebrate this show of Melville spirit.

Early Musical Beginnings

Bakang fell in love with music at the age of four. He hails from Vryberg in Freestate and has been passionate about music ever since he can remember. One of his first memories was seeing a drum major playing in his neighbourhood. He was particularly drawn to the snare and bass drums. Deeply moved by this crew, he ran straight home to make his own using buckets and played them till kingdom come!

At age 7, Bakang saw a brass band play at church. This was the first moment he laid eyes on an alto Sax, and Bakang was in love! He was first introduced to a brass wind instrument in grade 5. His best friend at school invited him home to see a trombone his parents had just bought. They were both in awe at the sight of the instrument and were itching to have a go!

Heartbreak and Triumph

Bakang never left the trombone's side, playing it at every chance he got. He taught himself to play and started practising with a local brass band every day. After about four months, the band got a gig which Bakang was extremely excited to feature in. To his dismay, they left him behind. Bakang's soul was crushed. He cried the whole way home, throughout the day, and even drenched his pillow in tears that night.

The next morning, Bakang's father woke him up and took him to Klerksdorp for a hiking trip. On the peak of the mountain, they had a deep chat, and his dad asked, "Where can we buy one of those trombones?" Bakang, eyes wide with excitement, exclaimed, "I'm sure Game will have one!" While in town, they checked Game but found nothing. Eventually, they were referred to Cash Crusaders. And lo and behold, there it was, a trombone that would be his own!

A Star Is Born

The people at the shop didn't believe he could play and challenged him to perform something. He played the national anthem and got an in-store standing ovation! Amazed at this young boy's talents, the store manager gave him a discount on the instrument. His busking days had begun. 

Bakang saw the impact that showing his talent to random people had, how moved they were and especially the value it directly created for him. The gears started grinding. Having his own instrument symbolised getting off the sidelines and being thrust into the spotlight. No one could tell him he couldn't perform anymore, and he started practising as much as he could.

Breaking New Ground

Playing with the brass band made him feel limited. He wanted to explore more opportunities and see what else his talents could offer him. So he went solo, seeking opportunities to play for other bands, weddings, funerals, record some jazz, and even play at church. He had to find ways to advance.

He also began teaching people how to play. One elderly man in his community who had a clarinet asked for lessons. It was Bakang's first time seeing one, and he fell head over heels for the instrument. The man eventually bought a trombone and sold his clarinet to him. Bakang played the instrument non-stop, playing along to the ballads of Kenny G, noting how much it sounded like the instrument of his dreams—the alto saxophone.

The Big Move to Jozi

From there, Bakang continued to develop his skills, explored other instruments, and even learnt to DJ. The time came when he felt he had outgrown Vryberg. His musical talents were falling on deaf ears. He wanted to take his skills to a more sophisticated crowd that understood the intricacies of the levels he had risen to, but also make some income to help out at home. "It was time to take a risk."

He packed his bags and moved to Jozi. When he first arrived, he landed in Midrand, where he tried his luck at busking on the street. Midrand wasn't really showing him the love he wanted, he wasn’t making enough money. Just as he thought it was time to make a move, in 2009, he bumped into one Tlotlo Moeketsi, a SABC radio DJ. Tlotlo offered him the chance to be a disk jockey for his radio show.

Finding His True Calling

Bakang took the opportunity with both hands and started working at the SABC. Being a real go-getter, he started pushing for more slots with other radio shows and channels, and DJ Bakstina was born!

For some time, things were going well, but Bakang wasn't happy DJing. He hadn't come to Joburg to be a DJ, he wanted to play music. While the money he was making was being sent home to help his family, he managed to study music at UNISA to further his playing skills and got a grade 3.

The Melville Santa

Things started getting extremely tough again, and Bakang needed a solid stream of income. So he did what he knew always worked; he went back to busking. Around this time, a bright idea hit him: "What if I dressed up as Santa Claus this Christmas and walked around Melville and Auckland Park busking through the streets?"

Remembering the Cash Crusaders effect, Bakang went for it! He knew how his talents made people feel and wanted to get himself out there, meet people, and hopefully create opportunities for himself.

It worked like a charm! By doing this, Bakang has been able to generate enough tips to become the main breadwinner at home. He has also gotten many opportunities to play gigs with bands and record with many musicians along the way. He has even landed a front-page article in a newspaper! This little idea has not only helped him make a living, but has brought so much joy to the people of Melville and all those he shares his gifts with.

We even had Elroy of Agterplaas in their feature piece say that his most memorable moment in Melville was when a man dressed as Santa was playing carols in the streets last Christmas.

A Connection and a Tragedy

One great connection he made in his recent Easter busk was Melville resident and professional musician Almero Welgemoed. Almero was at his home on Easter when he heard beautiful music coming from the street. He went to check and was amazed by Bakang's level of skill. They talked, had a connection and exchanged numbers.

They hit it off right away! Almero noticed Bakang's intellect, charisma, and wit, stating that "it's hard not to like him." He invited Bakang to jam and thought he could help him get opportunities to record with musicians in his circle.

When he left Almero's to carry on his holiday tradition, passing by an abandoned house that had been overrun by squatters, Bakang was suddenly attacked. The tstotsis occupying the property assaulted him and stole his saxophone and belongings. Bakang went back to Almero's a day or so later to let him know that, unfortunately, he wouldn't be able to make the recording sessions and told him what had happened.

The Melville Spirit in Action

Upon hearing this horrible news, Almero wanted to help. He thought posting about this on social media could help spread awareness and raise funds to get Bakang a new sax. Almero posted a video of Bakang with a caption explaining what had happened and the difficult situation he was in. To no surprise, there was an overwhelmingly positive response.

Many people replied to Almero's appeal, all wanting to help. An old man living in Melville had been keeping his soprano sax since 1995 and could no longer play it. He told Bakang that he hadn't sold it all this time because he was waiting for the right person to give it to. Many others donated money, now Bakang could buy a new phone and fix the soprano that the man had given him.

Another lady offered to buy him a brand new sax worth 15,000 big ones! It was the alto sax that he had always dreamt of—a full circle moment from when he first saw one in church at age 7. Bakang can now play a full range with the alto and soprano sax. He is extremely happy and feels better off than he was before.

A Final Appeal

Bakang has touched many people with his playing. They now have come together to help him get back up when he felt at his lowest. It's this sort of spirit that has been intrinsic in the Melville community for years. He was very happy at that moment and was inspired to carry on chasing his dreams. We feel that it's phenomenal how the community has shown him they appreciate the role he plays in our little culture hub.

Just as he was at his highest point, Bakang unfortunately got displaced from his home in Auckland Park and had to go back home. We wrote this piece not only to celebrate the amazing community spirit that came together to help our musical Santa but also to make one last appeal for that same spirit to show.

If anyone would like to help this amazing human being and may have an opportunity for him—a place to stay or a means of income so he can afford a place long term—please reach out to Bakang or Almero.

Almero: 082 318 6486 

Bakang: 060 845 2736

If you enjoyed today’s jazzy digest piece, consider buying us a coffee

What’s Happenin’ 🤔

Mampara week is here and there aren't as many events as usual, but there are a few goodies! Here's what's happening.

Melville Weather For The Week 🧣

Wednesday 

22° 🌡️ 7°  | ☀️ |  🌧️ 1% | WNW 7 km/h 💨

Thursday  

21° 🌡️ 8° | ☀️ | 🌧️ 0% | NW 7 km/h 💨

Friday 

21° 🌡️ 8° | ☀️ | 🌧️ 1% | NNW 11 km/h 💨

Saturday 

23° 🌡️ 7° | ☀️ |  🌧️ 2% | NNW 11 km/h 💨

Sunday

23° 🌡️ 4° | ☀️ | 🌧️ 0% | SW 11 km/h 💨

Monday 

23° 🌡️ 4° | ☀️ |  🌧️ 1% | WNW 7 km/h 💨

Tuesday 

22° 🌡️ 5° | 🌤️ |  🌧️ 2% | NNW 6 km/h 💨

Live & Music Events Lowdown 🎸

Here's the 411 on music events this week. Don't forget to check the Melville Pulse Calendar for the whole list.

15/05 | Thursday | 5 pm | Coca Restaurant Lounge | Mukololo Thursdays | Free

15/05 | Thursday | 7 pm | Smoking Kills Bar | Worship The Drone - ft. Dead thumb disco, Ugly sonic, Hypothetico, Scifi - kym, Renzo Filinich, < $ >, ionhaveaname, Chantelle gray, Aragorn23 | R80

16/05 | Friday | 7 pm | Smoking Kills Bar | Planet Karavan Presents - Mothership Express Vol.1 ft. Blue Mar, Stereo Club and Danny Ylang | R80

17/05 | Saturday | 7 pm | Smoking Kills Bar | Late Night Frequencies - Garage Nights Vol.2 ft. Drew, Ewan Scott, DJ Strat3gy, Tha Cutt | R50

18/05 | Sunday | 6 pm | Smoking Kills Bar | Graze Us | Free

21/05 | Wednesday | Smoking Kills Bar | 800 Gondomar - From Portugal ft. Shameless Band and Dynasty House Band | R180 - R200

For more updates as the week goes on, visit our instagram page @snapson7th or our new Melville Pulse event calendar

Civil Matters 👷‍♀️

Joburg Water Works On Main

Heads up! Joburg Water is doing some work on the main road from the robots on 1st Avenue to the corner of -. They are repairing a water main pipe that runs all the way to Blackheath. It's said to be around 2.5m deep and may take a week or two to fix. It will only be a few months before they can do the reinstatement.

Let's hope they'll fix the road when they're done too, because that patch has been a hazard for a long time now. Somebody's gotta do something about those traffic lights next!

The Tail End 🐾

And we're off! Fun fact, did you know that a lot of dogs are allergic to chicken? Don't worry, this is something not many people are aware of. We're sure many of us like to give our dogs chicken, especially as a treat.

When dogs scratch a lot, you're probably thinking ticks, dry air or a change of season. Sure, it's possible, but have you considered what's in the dog food?

If chicken is an ingredient, Cobi from Ziggy's Pet Pamporium suggests that you cut chicken from their diet for around two weeks, then see if there's a change in scratching.

Remember, we want to help keep your pets happy, healthy and safe.

Microchip Matters

Speaking of safe, microchips. Microchips, microchips, microchips!

In case you missed it, Sonja from Beagle Watch has been spreading information about a free microchip day happening for Family Day in Blairgowrie this Saturday.

It takes place on the 17th of May from 12 pm to 3 pm. Come through to get your dogs microchipped for free! Remember what the Richmond Animal Hospital said about microchips before?

Help Find These Kitty’s A Home

Last and definitely not least, these cuties are trying to find new homes…

The adoption will be facilitated by a public benefit organisation named Pet Empowerment In Townships (PETS). This phenomenal organisation aims to "alleviate the pain and suffering of lost, abandoned, neglected, abused and forgotten animals in underprivileged areas". Their main activities include:

• Feeding

• Sterilisation

• Vet care

• Emergencies

• Provision of shelter

• Rescuing/rehoming

• Pet care education

• Fund raising

PETS have recently opened up a branch in Johannesburg and call for help as they struggle with enough funds to carry out this brilliant work. To reach out, work with or donate to PETS, you can check out their website www.pets.org.za or email [email protected]

Winter Competition Update

We are two weeks into the Pet Winter Wear competition, and while we were talking to Cobi, she sent us some pictures of the adorable swag that's hanging up at Ziggy's.

Send a pictures of you’re pet in their best winter outfit to [email protected] to enter, or enter in-store at Ziggy's Pet Pamporium and stand a chance to win the awesome prizes.

Market Watch 🎪 

Melville Market

Exciting news from the Melville Market at Kruis church. In our in-depth article, we mentioned how they are looking to move stalls into the hall—well, that time has come! And that's not all, they're also opening the market up to car boot vendors.

This huge moment of growth will happen on their 1-year anniversary this weekend where they'll have a mega Birthday Market event.

Go down to the market this weekend and join in their festivities!

Melville Artisanal Market

As the season changes and it starts getting chillier, the Melville Artisanal Market will be tweaking their trading times a little to accommodate for the weather.

They'll be opening and closing an hour later than usual. So the Artisanal Market opening and closing times for winter will be 10 am to 3 pm every Saturday till further notice.

Thank you! 🙏

There you have it! If you had a good read this week, consider buying us a coffee.

Our team is growing! We'd like to welcome Jackson, a Wits medical student to the team who's been managing our instagram, helping with operations, events, and the weather section of the newsletter.

And also Sihle, an AFDA graduate whose mother has been a contributing member of the Melville community for years with ongoing work at the Koppies. Sihle did this week's Tail End and helped assemble and edit the pictures. We're very happy to have them on board!

Reply to this email and send the new members your well wishes or thoughts on their work in this issue.

Til next Tuesday,

Keep that festive spirit, have fun and stay joyous!

Sara mushe✌️