What do Jan Pierewiet, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star and a traditional isiXhosa song have in common?
They were all part of an initiative that brought children from different South African communities together, one song and one new friendship at a time.
Pick A Pal was the brainchild of Ronel Barkhuizen, former principal of Welgemoed Pre-primary School and a founding member of Proud Partners. Under her leadership, 14 schools across the Western Cape joined an initiative designed to help children discover other cultures and make friends beyond their immediate communities.
Every term, teachers gathered to exchange songs and dances, which they then taught to their own learners. Twice a year, the children came together for morning concerts, singing in Afrikaans, English, isiXhosa and Sesotho.
But the friendships didn't end when the music stopped.
Each child was paired with a friend from another school. They exchanged photographs, drawings and recorded conversations, sharing stories of their families, pets, favourite games and everyday lives.
Where possible, special visiting days gave the children an opportunity to meet their new friends face to face.
It was a wonderfully simple way to encourage understanding and friendship from an early age.