Karien de Waal

Category: Creativity

Karien de Waal, 35, is the founder of #JoinBandsNotGangs, which aims to empower youth gang members on the Cape Flats to become professional musicians, and prevent further youths from joining gangs.

Her vision is to gift one million musical instruments into the hands of one million youths in South Africa.

Since launching #JBNG in 2018, she has recorded a song with 60 musicians to raise awareness for #JBNG, gifted musical instruments worth over R150 000 in nine months, obtained a bursary for one of the #JBNG youth and has started music programs in two high schools in Kraaifontein.

She actively works with rival gang members simultaneously, training them in music, identity and life skills, teaching them to work in harmony rather than conflict, as another way of contributing towards eventual peace talks in conflict zones.

Learn more about #JoinBandsNotGangs here.