The second instalment of the Ekurhuleni Melting Pot Choral Festival took Carnival City by storm at the weekend by bringing together South Africa’s 10 best choirs who battled it out for the number one spot and prize money of R500 000.
This year’s competition was two-fold 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 KwaZulu-Natal 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 hosted by 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.
Speaking to the audience, executive mayor Clr Mondli Gungubele said; “Choral music is the most underrated genre of music in the country, yet the most therapeutic to consume. Thus 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 started on a nostalgic note at the grave site of Oliver and Adelaide Tambo in Wattville where world-renowned vocalist Sibongile Khumalo together with 1 000 choristers and the KwaZulu-Natal Philharmonic Orchestra gave a moving tribute during a brief memorial service on Saturday.
@TheTembisan
