Latest news with #Ramklass
Eyewitness News
03-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Eyewitness News
Cape Town marimba players break world record for largest ensemble
READ: CT marimba players hope to break world record for largest ensemble The Marimba Jam group, which headed the event, attempted to break another record in 2018, but that win wasn't recognised due to resource constraints. CEO of Marimba Jam, Kiara Ramklass, said they hoped this event would highlight the importance of music education in schools. 'For many of the kids playing the marimba, this is their way of expressing themselves, a creative outlet at school, and we hope that more young people will be inspired to take up music at school because of all the amazing benefits it has,' said Ramklass. Ramklass said they wanted to make their win official this time around. 'We thought a Guinness World Record would be a way for us to take that same energy to a national level and bring together the whole of South Africa in unity to achieve a marimba world record, celebrating our motto, finding harmony in community,' Ramklass added.
Eyewitness News
02-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Eyewitness News
CT marimba players hope to break world record for largest ensemble
CAPE TOWN - On Saturday afternoon, over 1,000 marimba players will take the stage in attempts to break the world record for the largest marimba ensemble. The event will take place in Cape Town at the Grand West arena, where performers of all ages from all over the country will perform musical items. The current record is held by Guatemala, sitting at 505 players. The Marimba Jam group, who is heading the event attempted to break another record in 2018, but the win wasn't recognised due to resource constraints. CEO of Marimba Jam Kiara Ramklass says they hope this event highlights the importance of music education in schools. 'For many of the kids playing the marimba, this is their way of expressing themselves, a creative outlet at school and we hope that more young people will be inspired to take up music at school because of all the amazing benefits it has.' said Ramklass. Ramklass said they want to make their win official this time around 'We thought a Guinness world record would be a way for us to take that same energy to a national level and bring together the whole of south Africa in unity to achieve a marimba world record, celebrating our moto, finding harmony in community.' Ramklass added.
IOL News
23-07-2025
- Entertainment
- IOL News
South Africa aims to break marimba world record with 1100 players
Over 70 Marimba players from KwaZulu-Natal will join participants from around the country in an attempt to set a new Guinness world record of having the largest group of Marimba players assembled and playing together in one place. A group of South African and Zimbabwean marimba players will gather at the Grand Arena at GrandWest in Cape Town on August 2 to break the current world record of 550. The aim is to have 1100 players. The event, under the theme "United in Harmony", will not only attempt to dethrone Guatemala's standing record of 505 players but double it. This will put South Africa on the global stage for a record-breaking celebration of culture, community and music. The event is expected to bring together players aged eight to 62, from over 70 schools and institutions, representing every province in South Africa. There will also be two schools from Zimbabwe. Each participant will receive an official Guinness World Records medallion. Schools participating from KwaZulu-Natal are St John's D.S.G, Michaelhouse, Durban Preparatory School and Arboretum Primary School. Kiara Ramklass, founder of Marimba Jam, said that after an unofficial attempt in 2018 they were inspired to try again. "We have been working hard over the last two years, fundraising, to be able to participate in this event," she said. In 2018 they gathered 241 girls on Women's Day to unofficially break Australia's standing record. It was, however, without the official Guinness World Record stamp due to resource constraints. Ramklass has spent the past decade dedicated to spreading the joy of marimba music to schools across the country. "We had to raise about R500 000 to cover the cost of hosting the event, entering Guinness and getting an adjudicator from Guinness World Records in London to attend the event. "We want to get South Africa recognised as a world record-holder. Music is powerful in uniting people. This event is more than just breaking a record. It's about showing what's possible when we come together across socio-economic divides. Whether from private schools, township schools or rural schools, all are on one stage. It's a loud, joyful message of ubuntu," said Ramklass. She said their motto is finding harmony in communities. "South African marimbas are tuned in C major. It's almost impossible to feel sad when you hear them. They create this magical, happy energy. That's what we're sharing with the world on August 2," said Ramklass. At the world record attempt event the ensemble will perform a 10-minute medley of 'Waka Waka' and 'Jerusalema', both powerful anthems of South African pride and unity. There will be two fringe events taking place at the V&A Waterfront Amphitheatre on Friday, August 1 and Sunday, August 3, to further promote the main event.
IOL News
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- IOL News
Over 1 000 marimba players unite for world record attempt in South Africa
Over 1 000 marimba players from all around South Africa and Zimbabwe are hoping to break the Guinness World Record at Grand West next weekend. In a landmark event set for Saturday, August 2, the Grand Arena at GrandWest in Cape Town will resonate with the harmonious sounds of marimbas as over 1 000 players from South Africa and Zimbabwe gather to attempt a Guinness World Records title for the largest marimba ensemble in history. Under the theme "United in Harmony," this showcase aims not merely to break the current record set by Guatemala at 505 players, but to more than double it, placing South Africa firmly on the global stage for a celebration of cultural pride and musical visionary behind the initiative is Kiara Ramklass, the founder of Marimba Jam, an organisation dedicated to introducing youth to the joys of marimba music across South Africa. Ramklass, who first discovered her passion for the marimba 18 years ago, expressed her excitement about the event: "South African marimbas are tuned in C major – it's almost impossible to feel sad when you hear them. They create this magical, happy energy. That's what we're sharing with the world on August 2." The ensemble will feature marimba players aged 8 to 62, drawn from over 70 schools and institutions, representing every province in South Africa, alongside two schools from Zimbabwe. Participants are embarking on significant journeys; one team from KwaZulu-Natal is flying in right after their matric dance, while others are transporting their instruments across provincial lines from Durban and Johannesburg. In this record-breaking moment, every marimba counts. This is not Marimba Jam's first attempt at making history. In 2018, the organisation gathered 241 girls on Women's Day to unofficially break Australia's record, yet lacked the resources for official certification. Now, with an international adjudicator flying in from London, their aspiration to etch a new title into the record books is firmly in the spotlight." This event is more than just breaking a record," Ramklass said. "It's about showing what's possible when we come together across socio-economic divides – private schools, township schools, rural schools – all on one stage. It's a loud, joyful message of ubuntu," the African philosophy that promotes community and shared will perform a vibrant ten-minute medley of celebrated songs "Waka Waka" and "Jerusalema," both of which serve as powerful anthems of South African pride and unity. As the grand event unfolds, a celebratory concert featuring local stars will conclude the day, further cementing the spirit of togetherness. Attendees can look forward to a plethora of activities beyond the record attempt, including performances by Goodluck, live art installations, interactive marimba demonstrations, djembe drumming workshops, photo booths, and virtual reality experiences. Each participant will also receive an official Guinness World Records medallion in a medal ceremony, celebrating their contribution to this historic event.
