The rich heritage of South Africa’s choral tradition will be on display once again this year for the third instalment of the Ekurhuleni Melting Pot National Choral Festival.
Hosted by Umhlobo Wenene DJ, Putco Mafani and Chriselda Kananda, this year’s edition promises to be a stellar festival of choral bliss with chorally inclined musicians such as Zakes Bantwini, national treasure Sibongile Khumalo, world renowned spin master, Black Coffee, gospel powerhouse Solly Mahlangu, Sally Silver, Njabulo Madlala and Afro/folk sensation Nathi.
The length and breadth of South Africa has been travelled in order to unearth the finest voices which will be to take aim at the R500 000 grand prize, making this the most sought after choral title in the country.
Ekurhuleni has steadily established itself as the capital of choral music in South Africa.
There is also something in it for connoisseurs of fine music as those who purchase the R250 ticket stand a chance to win a car.
Those who have attended previous editions will testify to the calibre of quality performance that this festival doles out and this year’s event looks set to be even better than the last.
October is OR Tambo Month and as an art and culturally astute freedom fighter, composer and former school choir conductor, the Melting Pot Festival is a fitting tribute to this giant of the country.
“Choral music is food for the soul because it plays an important role in developing a sound fibre of the community,” says mayor Clr Mondli Gungubele.
“The discipline required to execute a collective mandate is a pivotal skill to learn and extends beyond the choral space, but also to life and the work place. We also remember that the stalwart of our liberation, OR Tambo, had a passion for choral music and even used to compose songs that were utilised to galvanise freedom fighters during the struggle.”
The electric and indeed eclectic choral performances will perform in the following order:
- His Majesty Choir (Swaziland)
- Zwelitsha Adult Choir
- Gauteng Choristers
- SA Singers
- Voice Of The Nation
- African Chorus
- Heavenly Voices
- Bagale (Lesotho)
- Serumula
- Transnet Port Terminal.
“This event has become a critical core offering because of its nature and it is key in our strategy to market the city and the Ekurhuleni brand,” Gungubele concludes.
