50 years of being ambassadors near Ladysmith
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"
Monday, January 23, marked 50 years to the day when the Tungay family opened their farm in the central KwaZulu-Natal Drakensberg to the first group of boys of the now world-famous Drakensberg Boys’ Choir (DBCS).
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.
This quote from Carolynne Waterhouse of Rand Merchant Bank has been repeated many times over during the past decade and continues to remain relevant:
“There is something magical about music, something intangible that binds us with its spell, and while we listen, makes us believe that life is good, that the future is promising.
“For nation-building efforts to be successful, they must have a component of these intangible elements: spirit, soul, rhythm, magic, goodwill, and energy.
“Call them what you will, they are essential ingredients for the melting pot of the new South Africa. After all, if a nation can sing together, it can stay together – a truly diverse South Africa working in perfect harmony.” Through the years, the 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 the 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 UK.
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 the 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 they hope 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. Nic Steyn, past chairman of the Trust and Old Boy, mentioned in one of his speeches: “What really makes you see that this school is a cut above most of the other schools out there is the product this school produces. It’s in the boys.”
This is so true! The school’s original patron, the late Mr Harry Oppenheimer, could well have written these words for today’s celebration: “For me, there is no sound more uplifting, or more emotive, than that of a boys’ choir.
There is a tonal quality about a well-rehearsed boys’ choir that reaches into the soul, and refreshes and stimulates the heart and mind.
“It gives voice to our hopes, and invigorates our worthier aspirations. That is why I take such pleasure from my position as Patron of South Africa’s most celebrated choir group, the Drakensberg Boys’ Choir. These young people represent all that is best about our youth, and they have proven to be the most harmonious and eloquent ambassadors for our country.”
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