Hailing from the little town of Prieska in the Northern Cape, Minathi Matoto is a passionate teacher whose love for inspiring young minds brought her to Cape Town in 2017 when she pursued her teaching studies. She is a teacher at Red River Primary School in Manenberg and facilitates the singing segment of the Cape Cultural Collective’s Children’s Arts Group sessions at Bridgeville Primary School on Saturday mornings.
Q&A
1. Describe yourself in three words.
Hard-working, driven, unafraid
2. If you could have any superpower for a day, what would it be and why?
If I could have any superpower for a day, it would be reality-warping uh powers. I would love to be able to shape and reshape the world around me, crafting endless possibilities and experiences.
3. What song best describes your personality?
When You Believe – by Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston. So, in this world of possibilities, nothing, nothing is impossible. You can be who and whatever you want to be if you work hard and believe in yourself.
4. What’s the most memorable performance or project you’ve been part of?
It was and continues to be a project in my home province of the Northern Cape where those of us with tertiary qualifications guide local youth in the application process for tertiary education. We also tutor and mentor them so they can make good choices, not only for their careers, but also life in general. Part of this project also includes providing underprivileged schools with sanitary pads and shoes for learners who need it.
5. How do you get inspired when you feel stuck creatively?
I like to go outside, reenergize my mine and also draw inspiration from others.
6. What’s one thing you wish more people knew about CCC?
The CCC unifies communities, it improves individual wellbeing, and it sparks creativity and innovation. The arts is an enormously powerful tool for bringing people together by fostering shared experiences, promoting community engagement, creating opportunities for connection and understanding.
7. What’s your best advice for shy children in the group?
As a facilitator, I try to praise their efforts and avoid being too critical. I focus on their strengths and take note of what they do well. I provide continuous encouragement to the child so they can learn new things too.
8. What’s one piece of advice you received as a young person that still guides you?
Set goals and to pursue a career that brings you joy and the sense of purpose so that, in everything you do, you’ll do it with love.