A melodious tribute to OR Tambo
The second instalment of the Ekurhuleni Melting Pot Choral Festival took Carnival City by storm at the weekend.
The event brought together South Africa’s 10 best choirs, who battled it out for the number one spot, and to win the total prize money of R500 000.
This year’s competition was twofold and offered a R250 000 prize for the Best African Rendition and another sum for the Best Opera Rendition.
SA Singers were named winners of the Best African Rendition category, and Best Choral Rendition was awarded to Kopano Chorus. Monti Tshepo Manamela, conductor of the latter, was named the Best Conductor for both days and he was awarded an amount of R15 000, plus a one-year scholarship contract with the KZN Philharmonic Orchestra.
“It is a joyous day for us as the choir, our hard work and dedication has yielded results for us,” said the elated Manamela.
The competition is proudly hosted by the City of Ekurhuleni as a key event on its Oliver Tambo Month calendar in celebration of the life and legacy of the late struggle stalwart, choral music composer and conductor.
“Choral music is the most underrated genre of music in the country, yet the most therapeutic to consume,” said Ekurhuleni mayor Clr Mondli Gungubele.
“Thus, the City of Ekurhuleni is putting its weight behind this form of music in order to uplift the standard of choral music in our country.”
The two-day day festival began on a nostalgic note, at the gravesite of Oliver and Adelaide Tambo, in Wattville, where world-renowned vocalist Sibongile Khumalo, together with 1 000 choristers and the KZN Philharmonic Orchestra, gave a moving tribute during a brief memorial service, on Saturday.
The Tambo Month commemorations will continue with a Schools Debate tomorrow (Saturday), at the Actonville Community Centre, followed by a wreath laying ceremony and Memorial Lecture on Monday, October 27.
Former Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe is expected to deliver this year’s lecture.
