In 2009 Maria Botha de Garardier, a Suzuki Violin teacher of the South African Suzuki Association, was asked to lead the establishment of the Masidlale Strings Project, a music outreach and development project under the auspices of the Cape Philharmonic Orchestra.

Earlier this year, violin teacher Brenda Brenner from the well-known Jacobs School of Music at the University of Indiana visited South Africa for this first time.  Brenda was invited by Lainey Trequesser, founder of the Paris-based organisation Association Musiquelaine and advocate for the support of music development in South Africa, to come to South Africa with a view to future collaborations with local music development projects.

After visiting projects in Port Elizabeth and Bloemfontein, Brenda met Maria in Cape Town and worked with her for three days.   Brenda accompanied Maria to all the township schools where Maria teaches Suzuki Violin and could therefore experience the Masidlale Strings Project first hand. 

'I believe Brenda was touched by what she experienced in South Africa to such an extent that she could simply not stop talking about it' said Maria 'Her new-found personal understanding of the South African scenario was captured in an inspiring article published in The Strad and the story made front page news! We are very proud of this outcome!'