The choir of Diepsloot West Secondary School has just returned from experiencing this year’s Grahamstown National Arts Festival, which they qualified to attend after winning the first prize in the inaugural Tintswalo Diepsloot Choir Festival last year.
Ten choirs from 10 different schools in Diepsloot, ranging from primary to high school, went head to head to compete for the grand prize of a chance to attend the Grahamstown National Arts Festival.
The Diepsloot West Secondary School Choir comprises 21 talented young boys and girls, aged between 15 and 17. They did not perform at the Grahamstown Festival but had the opportunity to immerse themselves in the fascinating world of the arts. The group enjoyed backstage access and was able to watch technical rehearsals for shows and meet some of the event’s top performers.
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The Tintswalo Diepsloot Choir Festival was the brainchild of Ernest Corbett, the founder of the Tintswalo Group, and Papi Sathekge, a Diepsloot Youth Programme facilitator. It forms part of an extensive corporate social responsibility programme and various community outreach projects that are managed by the Tintswalo Group.
“Community support and youth development are of the utmost importance for us at Tintswalo,” said Corbett. “This particular initiative is very close to our hearts. It is an honour to encourage the personal development of these talented youngsters and give them the opportunity to express themselves through music.
“We truly believe that the Choir Festival plays an important role in uniting and empowering the children of Diepsloot, encouraging them to sing their hearts out, and give them hope in music.”
Diepsloot West Secondary School Choir beat nine other choirs to win the inaugural Diepsloot Choir Festival competition in 2016. The choirs performed in front of an esteemed panel of judges, including Isabella Jane from SA’s Got Talent and Adrian King from Warner Music South Africa.
The event was organised by the Diepsloot Youth Programme and the Tintswalo Group, as the main sponsor; together with Fairways Enterprises, Century Property Developments and the Riversands Incubation Hub.
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The Diepsloot Youth Programme has been involved in schools and the community of Diepsloot since 2012, with the aim to encourage upliftment and empowerment, and help a future generation on their path to success.
The success of the Diepsloot Choir Festival competition has now turned it into an annual event, with the next date scheduled to take place in September of this year.
Watch the highlights from last year’s Tintswalo Diepsloot Choir Festival here.
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