Legendary choir school celebrates a milestone
Through the years the Drakensberg Boys Choir School has had its many supporters, sponsors, donors and friends to thank for its current success and growth
January 23, 2017, marked 50 years to the day when the Tungay family opened their farm in the central Drakensberg to the first group of boys of the now world-famous Drakensberg Boys Choir.
The DBCS has experienced its fair share of challenges, but it has also become a South African icon, hailed as “South Africa’s singing ambassadors” and a vehicle of joy and inspiration to many people.
Through the years the Drakensberg Boys Choir School (DBCS) has had its many supporters, sponsors, donors and friends to thank for its current success and growth. The DBCS opened its doors in 2017 to 116 boys, just 10 short of the school’s plan some years back of “Booked Out” and the goal of 126 boys.
The DBCS also celebrates the 10th anniversary of what is now the Ashley-Botha Wing, the school’s academic wing, which was funded entirely by outside funders and opened on January 23, 2007. At that time the school simply would not have been in any position to look at upgrading and expansion without corporate and donor support.
Two years later, on January 23, 2009, Griffin House, the first phase of the school’s new boarding house opened its doors, also funded entirely by outside funders. The DBCS bursary programme is reaping rewards with one of the boys matriculating last year with two distinctions, one of which was music, and bursary offers to a selection of top music schools in the United Kingdom. He is just one of many who has taken the opportunity presented to him with both hands, and a great attitude, and made the most of it.
This year sees the construction of a much-needed kitchen, dining room and laundry facility. The DBCS is in a very positive financial position to have a portion financed and to fund a portion. A very generous grant of R1 million has been received towards this R9 million project and the school hopes to be able to secure additional grants/donations to allow for this project to be completed in full.
This is one project that is critical to the well-being of the boys and to provide a facility for the guests and patrons at the Wednesday concerts and annual music festivals.
