Although their stunning performances that mesmerised America’s Got Talent judges and music lovers did not secure them a win and grand prize of US$1 million, the now widely acclaimed Ndlovu Youth Choir have instilled pride in the hearts of many and motivated Provincial Government to bestow them with R1 million.
A cheque was handed over to the choir by Sport, Arts and Culture MEC Thandi Moraka when she officially welcomed them back home during a special homecoming celebration at Miracle Theatre in Moutse village, Groblersdal on Monday. It was learnt that half of the money will be shared among choir members while the other half was reportedly meant for district parties.
Moraka reportedly said “The choir has done us proud and to us they are winners. They are ambassadors of Africa which is why we are supporting them with an amount of R1 million.
R500 000 will go to the choir members and the other half will be used for celebrations. We are also going to work with the choir to help revive choral music in the province,” Moraka said.
To allegations that half of the money was meant for a ‘party’, departmental Media Liaison Officer Lucky Tshilimandila emphasised that the money would be used to host celebrations in all districts of the province. He highlighted that the group was expected to celebrate with impoverished people in rural communities as well as other choirs with the hope of reviving choral music in Limpopo. He said the group deserved the money as some of the young singers were from impoverished family backgrounds while others were orphans.
“The money will boost them a lot. The choir falls under the Ndlovu Care Group which is involved in many community projects. The group currently employs 140 Moutse residents on a permanent basis and has among others drilled 53 boreholes for the community. The group also serves food to the less privileged people on a daily basis at the Miracle Theatre. We have partnered with the choir as the department and we are going to celebrate them for a long time,” Tshilimandila explained.
Limpopo Tourism Agency (LTA) Corporate Communications and Public Relations Manager, Mike Tauatsoala indicated that the entity had presented the choir with goodie bags as a token of its appreciation. He said the choir’s achievement would also contribute positively to the tourism sector in Limpopo as he reckoned that the group’s followers, from all walks of life, are likely to attend performances by the choir in future. Tauatsoala called it a great achievement for the people of Limpopo and urged residents to support the choir in any way possible.
Ndlovu Care Group founder and Chief Executive Officer Hugo Tempelman stated that it was an honour to receive such a warm welcome back home and the money would help the group a lot. With the turmoil happening in South Africa the choir can be used as a weapon to smooth things, Tempelman explained and pointed out that they had made it clear to President Cyril Ramaphosa that the group was ready to use music to discourage acts of violence and attacks and that all they needed was the support from government.
“We had a great experience in the United States of America and everything we touched turned into gold. We won everything and it was unfortunate that we couldn’t get our hands on the big prize. We appreciate the support we got from Government and South African citizens,” Tempelman stated.
