Team Robbie wins Clash of the Choirs season 2

South Africans chose Team Robbie as the country’s best new amateur choir during a spectacular live finale yesterday evening (July 6th 2014).

Team Robbie, representing KwaZulu Natal province, the defending champs, was announced as the winners of Mzansi Magic’s Clash of the Choirs SA 2, beating out Team Shugasmakx, Gauteng province and Team Moneoa, Mpumalanga province in a stunning display of South African musical talent.

During a show that also featured performances by some of South Africa’s top artists, Mandoza, Mxo, Ziyon, Zakes and Donald, Team Robbie took home the R750 000 prize, with R250 000 going to Ikhwezi Welfare Centre and R500 000 to the choir.

The announcement of the winner in South Africa’s most popular choir talent search show came after several elimination rounds that left just three contenders standing from the original seven.

Dr Bongi Ngema with team Robbie, the winners of Clash of the Choirs season 2. Image: Supplied.

Clash of the Choirs SA 2 originally saw seven choirs from seven provinces, under the leadership of seven celebrity choirmasters, in the running for the title.

“We are once again thrilled by how our audiences have embraced Clash of the Choirs and congratulate Team Robbie (KZN) on winning the hearts of so many voters,” says Nkateko Mabaso, M-Net’s Director for Local Interest Channels.

“Clash of the Choirs has been consistently one of our highest watched programmes and once again, South Africa has shown that we have musical talent in all corners of the country that is nothing short of world-class. We would like to thank all the participants – the choirmasters, their choirs, the musicians, the judges and everyone who has ensured we upped the ante on last year’s season.”

Mzansi Magic’s Clash of the Choirs SA 2 is sponsored by Metropolitan. With its tagline of “No matter who you are or where you come from, we believe in you”, the financial company’s ethos of helping individuals achieve their goals, no matter what circumstances they are in, echoes Clash of the Choir SA 2’s aim of creating something amazing out of a group of talented but unknown singers.

“Metropolitan is extremely proud to contribute towards identifying, developing and growing local talent, which aligns with our vision of empowering South Africans to confidently shape their own futures. We would like to congratulate Team Robbie (KZN) on an amazing achievement – the competition was tough and each choir really gave it their all. We look forward to seeing what the future holds in store for each and every one of these talented individuals, says Belinda Faulkner, Brand Executive at Metropolitan.

The difficult of choosing a winner was on brilliant display in one of the most popular episodes of this season – In Memory Of …

During that show Robbie Malinga’s Kwa-Zulu Natal choir turned in a spectacular rendition of Lucky Dube’s popular hit “I‘ve Got You Babe” while Moneoa Moshesh – the youngest choirmaster of them all – got her Mpumulanga singers to take it to the max, with a version of Michael Jackson‘s 1991 hit tune “Heal The World” and Lebogang “Shugasmakx” Mothibe’s team showed how effortlessly emotion comes into choir performances with their take on Luther Vandross’ “Power of Love”.

Dr Bongi Ngema with Robbie Malinga. Image: Supplied.

In Memory Of … also featured Ziyon’s Western Cape team taking on the Whitney Houston 1987 hit single “I Wanna Dance With Somebody”; Simphiwe Dana’s Eastern Cape team performing Busi Mhlongo’s “Yehlisani Umoya ma-Africa”; HHP’s Free State singers rendering Brenda Fassie’s “Black President” and Tshedi’s Limpopo choir bringing Bob Marley’s love song “Could You Be Loved” to life.

In Memory Of … was just one of many themes that turned Mzansi Magic’s Clash of the Choirs SA 2 into a television hit. Other challenges during this season were Choirmaster’s Hits, Pop: Current Hits, Acapella, Ubukuphi? Where Were You?, Gospel Medleys, Local Legends, Love Songs: Duets and New School: Afro-Pop. During the course of the show, viewers witnessed how unpolished singers can come together to create musical magic, under the watchful guidance of the choirmasters as well as industry experts, including Music Director, RJ Benjamin.

M-Net’s proudly local channel Mzansi Magic’s Clash of the Choirs SA 2 was presented by the popular radio DJ, Social Media Queen B, Bonang Matheba and featured a lineup of heavyweight judges – Anele Mdoda, Lindelani Mkhize and Rebecca Malope. The voting results were verified by the auditing firm DeLoitte.

For more information please visit the following platforms:

Website: clashofthechoirs.co.za
Facebook: Clash of the Choirs SA
Twitter: @ClashOfChoirsSA, Hashtag #COTCSA