Songs of hope, inspiration and worldwide harmony

Showcasing South Africa’s beauty and immeasurable talent, the Ndlovu Youth Choir has charmingly gone from humble beginnings and up the ranks to one of the world’s favourite acts when it took on season 14 of the America’s Got Talent stage, taking the world’s breath away one colourful performance at a time.

“It’s been a great experience for us. It wasn’t easy having to adjust to the life that side and being far from home. It was really crazy being on the world’s biggest stage and having to learn all these things knowing that it goes out to a lot of people and the world’s watching,” said Ndlovu Youth Choir’s Sandile Majola.

Shortly after wowing the America’s Got Talent stage, the choir released a chart-topping album, Africa. The 11-track offering reflects Ndlovu Youth Choir’s journey thus far – a glorious, intense and fun journey that has seen the choir grow even closer. The album delivers the signature sounds that took the choir onto the global stage. It also includes a harmoniously chosen collection of South African and international tracks and choir’s first original track, Believe, written by Ralf Schmitt, Ndlovu Youth Choir’s choirmaster, conductor and artistic director.

“It’s a huge achievement for the choir and we’re very grateful and it wouldn’t have happened if it wasn’t for the support of South Africa. The way the country just got behind the choir is just massive,” said Schmitt.

Beyond the beautiful chorals and harmonies, the choir embodies stories of hope, inspiration and unity. The choir initially emerged from the Ndlovu Care Group which was founded in 1994 by Dr Hugo Tempelman to provide innovative healthcare, childcare, education and community development in the rural village of Moutse and the choir remains a vital part of the community and is an important way for its members to achieve excellence in an area battling poverty and other socio-economic challenges.

“If a group isn’t unified, together and working on the same page then you’ve lost before you’ve even started. Perhaps – to me – that is the more important than the music and choreography. There needs to be group unity and we talk a lot about it and the family bond to me is special,” Schmitt said.

With more plans in their itinerary, the choir said it will continue to raise its standards in its journey to being even better performers and inspirational members of the community – making the choir a holistic and well-rounded choir with skills development and leadership at its essence.

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