Contestants from 'Clash of the Choirs': Picture Twitter @ClashofChoirsSA
After two touching episodes of auditions and personal stories, Clash of the Choirs SA (COTCSA) got down to business as Season 4’s first live performance challenge got underway on Sunday evening.
Hosted by DJ Sabby and Bontle Modiselle, the episode featured an uplifting group performance from nine choirs and their choirmasters.
COTCSA’s musical director Zadok (whose glittering global CV includes working on the SAMAs and MTV VMAs) set the tone with a timely theme: the choirs had to compose odes to defending Rugby World Cup champions the Springboks. As Zadok pointed out, the marriage between music and sport was a classic one.
Kicking things off was Team Khanyisa (Mpumalanga), who sang Ubomi Abumanga by Sun-El Musician and Msaki. Kwaito legend and Drakensberg Boys Choir alumnus Zwai Bala praised their vocal synergy, calling it “balanced out” and “beautiful-sounding.”
Next up, Team Hle (Limpopo) performed their own rendition of Boom Shaka’s Lerato. Gospel superstar Dr. Tumi led the praise, saying they gave him goosebumps, with an emotional Buhlebendalo Mda saying: “I felt like I was getting hugged by the Lord himself.”
KZN’s Team Ntencane took on Young Stunna’s Adiwele, with positive feedback from the discerning judges. Zwai said: “Now that is a performance. You really brought us the heart of KZN.”
Northern Cape’s Team Langa took on Margaret Singana’s Shaka Zulu classic, to a tepid response from judges. Buhlebendalo said: “I was not moved by it, something was missing.”
Next up was Team Stoan (North West), who sang Cassper Nyovest and the Mahotella Queens’ Malome. The judges felt the choir needed more confidence, with Dr Tumi saying: “Remember, you’re a team. If you slip up, you’ve got 13 other people who have your back.”
Team Vusi Nova (Western Cape) boldly took on TKZee’s We Love This Place. About his song being covered, Zwai said: “You knew you were going to make me smile. But have fun – that’s going to be key to how you stay in the competition.”
Eastern Cape’s Team Lady Du performed HHP’s Born for This. Dr Tumi said: “I loved the performance, but make sure you pick the right leads at the right position of the song.”
Team Zaza, Free State, took on Father Stretch by Sunday Service Choir. Zwai said: “You guys sound like you have been a group for the longest time. You just feel comfortable.”
Closing off the show was Gauteng’s Team Prince Kaybee, whose rendition of Emtee’s We Up blew away the crowd and judges. Dr Tumi called it “the most musical performance of the night”.
In a surprise twist, no choirs were eliminated – but choirmasters had five minutes to make the heart-breaking decision to eliminate two members from their choirs. There was shock and there were tears from all sides.
Clash of the Choirs SA airs every Sunday at 18:00 on Mzansi Magic (DStv Channel 161), with episodes also available on DStv Stream.
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