11-year-old Marnus has been supporting his family by busking on the streets of Parys, playing his penny whistle; a man heard him and asked the Good Morning Angels with help to change his life.
Parys, South Africa (09 June 2021) – The penny whistle plays a merry tune that brings people in from far and wide to listen and dance. This is what happened to a man named Marc, who found himself following the sound of a penny whistle until he found a young boy named Marnus.
Marc, who has elected to remain anonymous, was taken with the young boy’s talent and struck up a conversation. The two discussed Marnus’ love of music, which he got from his father Tienie, and what he was doing playing on the street corner.
Tienie has a deep love of music which he expresses at church. Tienie plays the drums and guitar with the church band. In addition, he taught his son to play the penny whistle, and it has come in quite handy these past months.
Marnus explained that his family have fallen on hard times, and he is able to earn some money playing his penny whistle. His parents have both lost their jobs due to the pandemic and national lockdowns. Trying their best to cut costs, the family moved from Rustenburg to Parys and sold everything they owned that was valuable. Now that money has run out; they rely solely on Marnus while they look for new jobs.
Marc was deeply moved by this information and decided to buy Marnus a new penny whistle. He returned the next day and got the chance to speak with Rianda, Marnus’ mother. With her permission, she filmed the young boy’s pennywhistle talents and reached out to the Jacaranda Good Morning Angels in the hopes that they could help further.
The team loved hearing Marnus play and decided to help uplift the family. The Good Morning Angels have donated three month’s rent to keep a roof over the family’s heads through the winter.
Rianda is waiting for news of a job in the kitchen of one of the restaurants in town while dad, Tienie – a truck driver – is trying to renew his PDP permit, but he must wait until they have the funds.
Despite all the setbacks and financial hardship, Marnus and his little brother, Cilliers, are doing very well at school – their parents make sure of that. The family keeps the faith that their luck will turn and that they will be back on their feet soon.
For now, Marnus lets his inner-joy shine through his Penny Whistle and shares his Kwêla with anyone who will listen.
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While the Good Morning Angels have secured a roof over their heads, Petri Venter, representing Econo Foods, has donated food parcels for the remainder of the year. First, the family will get a weekly R500 food hamper, delivered to Parys, until the end of the year (R15 000). Secondly, they will help cover Tienie’s PDP permit so he will be able to get back to work as a truck driver.
This chance encounter from a passing stranger has meant so much to the family. Finally, they have been given a second chance, and it’s all thanks to their talented son and a man with an ear for good music!
Take a look at the young man’s pennywhistle skills below. Jacaranda FM supplied the video.
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