The Clermont Community Choir were crowned the winners of the Ekurhuleni Melting Pot Choral Festival, at Carnival City, in Brakpan, over the weekend.
The competition was hosted by the metro to celebrate the memory of the late political stalwart and one of South Africa’s greatest choral composers, Oliver Reginald Tambo.
The Durban-based group walked away with R250 000 in prize money.
The group beat off the other top choirs, Voices of the Nation and Kopano Chorus from Tshwane, Gauteng Choristers, who hail from Johannesburg, Thabong Choir and Belcanto Voices, of the Free State, the Western Cape’s Heavenly Voices, fellow Durban-based SA Singers and Eastern Cape favourites the Transnet Port Terminal Choir to claim the coveted title.
After the choir’s western rendition, they received a standing ovation from the crowd.
Chief executive officer of Clermont Community Choir, Wiseman Mkhize said “We are over the moon, completely overwhelmed, to be honest we did not see it coming.
“We never expected it because we were competing against the best choirs in the field.
“After we performed the western rendition the choir just broke down, myself included, we were just so emotional.”
Mkhize credited their success to their hard work and determination.
He said “The choir decided to pull out of the National Choir Competition this year, to focus all their energy on the Ekurhuleni Melting Pot competition.”
The day began at the gravesite of Oliver and Adelaide Tambo, in Wattville, where competing choirs recognised the couple’s contribution to modern day South Africa, and drew inspiration for the tough day ahead.
The concert was started on a high note by the Cinstar Male Choir, Khathorus Chorale and Mbizana High School Choir.
The exciting family affair kept music lovers entertained from start to finish, with guest performances by the Afro Tenors, Siphokazi and Zakes Bantwini.
The festival was part of the metro’s Tambo Month celebrations, which are hosted annually in the month of October.
Commemorations will take a more serious tone on Sunday, October 26, when the Tambo family and other national leaders are expected to pay homage to O R and Adelaide Tambo at a wreath-laying ceremony in Wattville.
