28 December 2020
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Story Xolisa Mnukwa
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Photo Supplied
Simple stories band members - CJ van Wyk, Naledi Mohapi, and Samuel Akach
The Simple Stories band, consisting of three members – CJ van Wyk, Samuel Akach, and Naledi Mohapi – is enthusiastic about their love of music and serving the world through their melodies of hope.
The band reflected on their study careers at the University of the Free State (UFS), describing it as an amazing experience. “We really made sure that we took advantage of the opportunities presented to us by the university.”
They described the cultural offering at the UFS as the highlight of their varsity careers, with Mohapi’s inclusion in the Vishuis Ser team helping the team to beat Veritas in the competition for the first time in years.
Akach and Van Wyk were also no strangers to victory, as they were both part of the Veritas team that won the National Serenade competition.
Akach, a former House Kagiso’s Residence Committee member for Culture, was a well-known soccer player on the UFS Bloemfontein Campus. Van Wyk played first-team hockey and was involved in a number of theatre productions, in addition to being a dedicated Accounting student with a rigorous study programme.
“Our biggest achievements and most memorable moments are all linked to becoming Simple Stories and being recognised by the university for the quality of our work,” remarked Van Wyk.
“Music serves as our escape from the harsh realities of the world that we live in today. Today’s youth look at music, and the entertainment industry as a whole, as a form of education and a means of expression, and through this we are able to serve the world as all musicians do – through music,” Van Wyk added.
The band said they are honoured and grateful for the opportunities presented to them as musicians and are blessed to travel the country to spread messages of hope to the South African population.