MusicWorks is a Non-Profit Organisation that uses the power of music to unlock potential in the lives of children and their communities. We offer Music Interventions for children and young people, partnering with communities in Cape Town’s marginalised neighbourhoods.
Music Therapy is an emerging field in South Africa, regulated by the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA). MusicWorks Interventions are grounded in Music Therapy theory and principles, and offer a vital service – as a means of strengthening children subject to trauma and neglect; supporting their social, cognitive and emotional development; and ultimately impacting the psychosocial fabric of their larger communities.
Through music, care and partnership,
we hope to encourage hope.
A Brief History
MusicWorks was founded in September 2002 and registered as a Non-Profit Organisation in November 2003, as the Music Therapy Community Clinic.
Two Music Therapists started on a part-time, voluntary basis, offering Music Therapy sessions to school children in Heideveld, Cape Town. The community was very supportive of this early work, which led to the establishment of an official Music Therapy Programme.
The following 20 years saw the development of a practice that would function with two core characteristics: Adaptability to the various work contexts, and sensitivity to the specific needs of the beneficiaries in the target communities.
In 2010 MusicWorks received the Mentor International Innovation Award, as well as a Silver Award from the Impumelelo Innovations Trust, for pioneering work in the field of Music Therapy in various communities on the Cape Flats.
In 2019 MusicWorks received the award for Social Innovator in Arts and Culture from Community Chest Impumelelo for its Music for Life programme.