Rosemary Nalden - BA

Rosemary has a distinguished career as a professional viola and violin player and teacher, but her greatest accomplishment has been the foundation of the Buskaid Soweto String Project (BSSP) in January 1997.

Buskaid provides assistance to talented South African Soweto 8-21 year olds to learn classical musical instruments, a remarkable achievement when many of the Soweto children had never seen a stringed instrument before. Buskaid has toured extensively in the USA, UK and Europe as well as recently treating New Zealand audiences to a spectacular concert programme in December 2002.

Buskaid now has its own music school which accommodates 60 students. Rosemary is principal teacher, administrator, fundraiser, and producer of two very successful Buskaid CDs. BSSP have performed in the presence of Nelson Mandela and President Thabo Mbeki, as well as Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

Rosemary received a Distinguished Alumni Award in 2003.