Local choir rakes in gold at SA champsQ
With their sheer talent, the group wowed the judges at the South Africa Performing Arts Championship.
UPPER Highway’s Bev Mac Gregor and The Kholwa Project recently won 64 gold medals for the province in the South Africa Performing Arts Championships and will represent the country in The World Performing Arts Championships in the United States of America later this year.
According to Mac Gregor, a local composer recording artist and musician, they met online by chance. “Through this magical meeting and then collaboration, The Kholwa Project was formed. Our choir consists of myself and the popular multiple award-winning nine-piece Isicathamiya Choir – The Kholwa Brothers,” said the enthusiastic songstress.
While their genre of music was strictly classified as Isicathamiya, with their combined talent, the team created what is easily described as an eclectic musical mix. As the group’s composer, Mac Gregor added her own flair and drew inspiration from South African greats such as Johnny Clegg, Ladysmith Black Mambazo and Mango Groove.
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“We never imagined that we would eventually get to compete in The South African Performing Arts Championships because lockdown firmly placed the brakes on our combined dreams. Dates to compete were indefinitely delayed and I personally began to lose hope that we would ever perform. We eventually did and, 64 gold medals later, we are basking in the glory. A celebration of our hard efforts.”
She also entered the solo category and took home 10 medals. As the composer for the choir, Mac Gregor felt both proud and honoured that they won so many medals and were chosen to represent the country overseas. “Working with and composing for choirs is my dream,” said Mac Gregor.
The group said they were overwhelmed by the positive response they have received from their fans on social media.
“We can barely wait until flights are open again to the USA, where we will compete in The World Performing Arts Championships” said the choir master, choreographer and isiZulu composer for the group, Derrick Mlambo. “Our message to the artists who are thinking about giving up on their dream: don’t!”
Caxton Local Media Covid-19 reporting
