It’s got to be one of the top karaoke songs of all time!  ABBA’s “THANK YOU FOR THE MUSIC”.  How often haven’t you heard it and found yourself singing or humming along to those famous words?  “Thank you for the music, the songs I’m singing, thanks for all the joy they’re bringing”.

Let me introduce myself.  My name is Kirsty Savides and I’m the Founder and Programme Director of Wriggle and Rhyme, a music and movement programme for babies, toddlers and pre-schoolers.

ABBA’s words have been ringing in my ears recently.  You see, October 2023 marked Wriggle and Rhyme’s 15^th birthday.  

It’s been 15 years since I ran the first ever Wriggle and Rhyme class from the lounge in my home in Fish Hoek.

Since then, the business has grown and evolved.  I’ve gone through all the stages of motherhood with the business – from exciting conception to a crying newborn, to a demanding toddler, to a feisty tween, to a maturing teenage.  

Here are some highlights:

In 2011, we branched out into PRE-SCHOOLS in Cape Town.  We extended the programme from babies and toddlers, to include children up to Grade R level.  We now have hundreds and hundreds of children participating in our music and movement classes in pre-schools each week.

In 2013 the BABY and TODDLER programmes were licensed to allow other women to run classes from their venues too.  We now have branches in MEADOWRIDGE, RONDEBOSCH, CLAREMONT and MELKBOSSTRAND.

In 2017 we partnered with Lifeline Energy to bring our music to children across the African Continent.  Lifeline Energy distributes solar-powered radios and MP3 players to prisons, refugee camps and schools across Africa.  These children are now also singing our songs each week!

We’ve also created a range of unique and fun musical stories to enjoy.  Originally available on CD, these can now be accessed through your favourite music streaming platform – SPOTIFY, APPLE MUSIC, iTUNES, AMAZON etc.

Running a business in South Africa has not always been easy.  We’ve had to weather global recessions, the really difficult COVID season and ongoing loadshedding.  Sometimes the song in our hearts has been upbeat and full of joy, sometimes it’s been melancholy and slow.

These are still challenging times that we’re living in.  With the rising cost of living, wars and rumours of wars across the world, pain and suffering all around us.  It’s easy to become despondent and feel anxious.

But, I wake up every single morning saying “thank you for the music”.  Not just for Wriggle and Rhyme, but thank you that I get to be part of something that contributes so beautifully to the lives of children.  Thank you that Wriggle and Rhyme assists our family and many others financially each month.  Thank you that I have the flexibility to spend time with my children each day.

So, as we celebrate Wriggle and Rhyme’s 15^th birthday, I’m resolved, more than ever, to live in gratitude for all that life brings – the ups and downs, the highs and lows.

My song today and every day is, “thank you for the music!”.

If this resonates with you, come and sing along with us.  Join our team and discover the joy of adopting Wriggle and Rhyme into your own family!

For more info about the W&R business opportunity, have a look at www.wriggleandrhyme.co.za/join-the-team 

For more info about the W&R musical stories and online resources, have a look at www.wriggleandrhyme.co.za/our-music 

Find us on Facebook and Instagram @wrigglerhyme #wrigglerhyme