Harvard University choir performs at local prison

Female offenders at Polokwane Correctional Centre were treated to a performance by the Harvard University choir who visited the facility on Monday.
The programme included traditional British songs as well as a number of South African songs learnt by the members during their short time in the country.
Matlakala Bopape, Director of the Polokwane Choral Society’s said the visit was part of the society’s annual festival. “We annually host one or more choirs from abroad to join us for the Mandela Legacy Choral Festival. We always visit the children’s cancer ward at the local hospital and this year we decided to perform at the correctional centre as well,” she said.
She said the Harvard University choir arrived in South Africa on 2 June and had already learnt several Sotho songs.
“They are an awesome team of talented singers who put in everything to learn new songs and are always excited to learn more about South African traditions,” Bopape said.
The festival will also see the choir performing elsewhere, including Haenertsburg, Soweto and Cape Town before they return home on 21 June.

Story and photo: RC Myburgh
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