Covid-19 ends Moot boy’s dream at Drakensburg Boys Choir

An 11-year-old boy from the Moot’s dreams of pursuing a singing career has been put on hold.

Unfortunately, due to Covid-19 and lack of funds, the family had no other choice but to remove him from the Drankensberg Boys’ Choir.

Enrique Kruger’s mother Celeste said that it was a difficult choice to send him to an unknown world, but it was even harder when they decided to put his dream on hold until the family could decide otherwise.

“It has been an emotional roller-coaster. When it was announced that the schools were set to close in March last year, we had no other choice but to bring Enrique back.

“The saying goes: Once a Drakie, always a Drakie.

“At least we could see that our son has grown as a young man and that the experience had such a positive impact for his development,” said Celeste.

“But it was especially hard on Enrique knowing that he will not go back to KwaZulu-Natal. When the opportunity present itself again, we will most definitely consider sending him back.”

Enrique, described as “energetic”, attended Fred Magardie Primary School in Eersterust, but this year he was set to attend a school in the Wilgers area.

Although he has been singing since he was three, Enrique’s singing talent was first showcased at the 2019 Fred Margardie’s Got Talent show.

He has since sung at various churches as well as at Reckless Worship alongside “celebrated local talent”.

He was also a supporting act for the well-known bass guitarist Jonathan Rubain.

Enrique, or Ricky as he is known, loves music and not only has the gift of singing but is also an avid drummer. His speciality is gospel music.

“I always knew that Enrique is musically inclined,” Celeste said.

“My husband’s side of the family is very musically inclined and Enrique never played with normal toys. He always wanted something which made a noise, which was how we knew.”

His mother started a Backabuddy page for him last year January to assist them with his school fees.

“The support we got, was unbelievable.

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“We raised over R10 000 to cover the registration fee,” she said.

Celeste said she was proud of her son.

“In the words of his Sunday school teacher, Enrique is an exemplary child, well-mannered with a gentle soul.”

Enrique has five-year-old twin sisters and is the only son. His father Romano and his mother are both vocalists.

“One of the teachers at his school said that there is a choir master interested in having Enrique as part of the team.

“As soon as he finds his feet, he will take his love for singing to the next level.

“I will travel to the end of the world and back to make my boy’s dream a reality once again,” Celeste said.

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