BEDFORDVIEW & EDENVALE LIVING WELL IN BEDFORDVIEW AND EDENVALE
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Volume 11, 20 June 2017, Week 25
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Edenvale resident Michael Saltino believes now is the time for South Africans to use their gifts as an instrument for change. By Heather Djunga
Edenvale resident Michael Saltino believes now is the time for South Africans to stand, to shake off the chains of oppression and past hurts, and to shine. Michael, a Jewish resident, said he had a strong faith in God believing that God has placed a dream to sing in his heart, which he has relentlessly pursued since he was a child. Now 68 years old, he said he isn’t about to give up on this dream and he has encouraged other South Africans to fight the corruption and oppression in the nation through stepping up and using their talents to the utmost to build hope and restoration in their communities. “The creative arts and the gifts each of us have, can inspire and rebuild broken hearts and cities,” he believes. Michael spoke to tame TIMES about how life circumstances had grown his gift, helping him to sing with increased passion and conviction. He said he believed the trials and tribulations in the nation had shaped people’s talents, creating unique voices for social change. “When I was younger, I got up to all kinds of things,” he said. “At one stage, I became so frustrated at what felt like knocking my head against a brick wall, that in my desperation to attract media attention to promote my music, I blocked the sewerage pipes in Leandra. I even took on the local TV station because of a personal grievance with them over my music and started a motion advising people not to pay their TV licences. I realise now I was wrong.”
He said his turning point in life came when he was shot three times from point blank range during an armed robbery on 26 November 2007. “I believe that the only reason why I did not die was that God still had a purpose for me on this earth. Thereafter I settled down in Edenvale, and started going back to my religion, which I had rebelled against while still a child.” Around this time, he recorded his CD, ‘Back to my roots’. He continued: “With experience I have learned that God’s timing is perfect. I have had doors closed in my face but I still believe that my music and story can give hope to other people. When I was lying between life and TALENTED: Michael Saltino on his guitar. death after being shot, I said to the Lord, ‘I can’t victor.” die now. What about the Michael recalled his younger days and music?’” He explained there was an expression: his naivety then, playing a song from “Don’t die with the music still in you” his album for tame TIMES which speaks and that he wanted to encourage others about a boy who left home to pursue his not to give up but to join him in protest dream – who faced hardships but didn’t against every oppressing and corrupt give up – eventually returning home to share the good news of a dream fulfilled. force, through shining their light. “I have been in different armed In 2016 Michael and artiste Costa robberies but I don’t want to see myself Nicolas recorded “Another chance as a crime victim. I choose to be a to love “ and later, “Flying Away “.
These tracks were mainly composed by the late Eduardo Gratino, from Zimbabwe. In March 2017, he again recorded the vocals and remixed the “Another Chance to Love” album. Michael is currently looking for an agent for his music. For more information, visit http:// michaelsaltino.yolasite.com/aboutme.php