By Miriam Erasmus
Let’s talk about WORK ETHIC – and I know many of you can identify!
My career did not come out of thin air. I was born with talents that I have made the most of. Turning those talents into a Profession has been hard work.
Bear in mind that I have lived in South Africa since 1977. No ‘Privilege’, No A.A. and No B.E.E. / D.E.I. – just good old ‘keep at it’ determination.
I read another Entitled ‘bleat’ today from someone who thought the world owed them a living, and my blood boiled = it takes a lot to make my blood boil!!
If you want to get ahead in this world, no matter what you are born with, it is your responsibility to make the most of it, not someone else’s to namby pamby to you.
From my early childhood, in Lewes, Sussex, my family realised I was musically talented, so they supported all my musical endeavours and saved up to buy me a viola when I was 14.
I wanted to sing better – so I found vocal coaches and now train my voice daily.
I am musically dextrous – I practice playing musical instruments.
I love folk songs – I researched them and started performing them.
Miriam Backhouse toured Europe from 1973 to 1977 then again each Summer from 2005 to today.
After a few lucky years of being a stay at home mum, John and I started working together in 1987.
From 1987 to 2020, we put together 30 Theme Programmes and 10 Puppet Pantomimes for “Matriarch Music, the Art of Education.” I used all the skills I had trained for. We worked hard, I devised the shows, wrote the script and songs and programmed all the music and compiled all the books. John made all the props (I made the puppets) and originally played the accompaniments live, as well as doing all the loading and driving.
We (Auntie Mim and John) visited hundreds of schools, reaching tens of thousands of children from 3 to 9 years old.
Along the way, in the 90s, I applied for funding, both locally and other NGOs abroad, and was told, point blank, “NO, You are not – I will use the word “Ethnic” – !”
Therefore John and I had to do it ourselves, with no help, financial or infrastructural.
“Do you do Puppet Shows?” – I made puppets and John made the Booth.
“Do you do Medieval?” – We learned Greensleeves etc. and made costumes.
“Do you do rock ‘n’ roll?” – I bought a little black dress and we ‘did’ Tina Turner, etc.!!
NOTHING was easy, but everything was so worthwhile.
For over 30 years we earned our living entertaining folks from the cradle to the grave, having fun along the way.
Now, I have become a journalist, and am learning more about this craft as I go along.
If you want to bleat, go and find others who understand your bleating, and, remember the louder you all bleat, that’s all we hear, just loud bleating!!
If you want to get ahead, get a WORK ETHIC.
…… and a smile!!”
Author Bio:
Singer/Songwriter Miriam was born in Lewes, Sussex in 1948, and has a lifetime of making music.From 1993-7 she was “Miriam Backhouse. The First Lady of Folk”.
She still tours Europe with her own songs and traditional ones.In 1977 she married John Erasmus and moved to South Africa.
They raised a family as “Mim and John” playing music for all ages, but mostly touring the local Schools from 1987 to 2018.
She wrote 300 Educational songs and poems for children.Now a journalist, she writes of life in South Africa and her travels.
Contact Author:
YouTube link. https://www.youtube.com/ channel/ UCnpj8REUlOzHPXnPnULwpKg
Facebook link. https://web.facebook.com/miriam.erasmus
