Sekhukhune’s choir excel on the international stage
The Ndlovu Youth Choir's manager, Morongwa Magongoa, said they were invited by AGT to participate in the competition. "AGT invited the choir to participate in the show after listening to the cover of Ed Sheeran's "Shape of You" song the choir performed. AGT paid most of the expenses, but Ndlovu Care Group also paid other expenses for choristers."
SEKHUKHUNE – Moutse residents said it feels like a fairy tale that the Ndlovu Youth Choir (NYC) has excelled on the global stage.
The choir that competed in America’s Got Talent (AGT) actually hails from Sekhukhune District (SDM). They are heroes across South Africa and the continent.
The team might not have won AGT, but they arrived back home to a generous gift during a homecoming celebration in Moutse last Monday.
Limpopo MEC for sport, arts and culture, Thandi Moraka, handed the choir a cheque of R1 million after they made the finals of what is arguably the world’s biggest talent competition.
Half of the money is for the choristers, and the other half will be utilised to develop their music programmes.
During their first performance on AGT, choir director Ralf Schmitt shared that the kids come from one of the most impoverished communities and managed to uplift themselves.
The choir, named after an elephant, consists of about 24 choristers. Most are pupils at Tlou Kwena Secondary.
Speaking to Steelburger/Lydenburg News, Kora Mahlangu, a community leader in the village, said the people of Moutse are proud of the choir’s achievements.
“The choir was formed 10 years ago through the Ndlovu Care Group Centre as a healing programme for orphans and vulnerable children in the Moutse area. It was founded by Dutch doctor, Hugo Templeman and has had moderate success in South Africa. The choristers used to practise at the Miracle Theatre church hall in the village.
“We knew of their talent but we never expected them to achieve this big accolade on an international stage. They made the continent and people of Sekhukhune proud.”
The Ndlovu Youth Choir’s manager, Morongwa Magongoa, said they were invited by AGT to participate in the competition. “AGT invited the choir to participate in the show after listening to the cover of Ed Sheeran’s “Shape of You” song the choir performed. AGT paid most of the expenses, but Ndlovu Care Group also paid other expenses for choristers.”
She added that the group was based in Los Angeles for six weeks before performing in the finals.
“The whole AGT journey started in December last year and only this year in June 2019 did they go for auditions and proceeded to semi-finals and finals.”
The group have been hailed as the pride of the nation after becoming the first African group to advance to the finals of the talent show.
Moutse is a village about 180 kilometres from Burgersfort. It is situated in Elias Motsoaledi Municipality of the Sekhukhune District Municipality.
