Youth choir from Standerton restores hope

The Our Treasures Youth Choir (OTYC) came from humble beginnings in Standerton.

Founded by Tshepo Innocent Mdaweni with immense support from Morena Lephoto, Happiness Mlangeni and Nrateng Sebiloane in August 2024, the OTYC aims to empower the youth by instilling a passion for music within them.

“Our choir’s humble beginnings were marked by a passion to empower young people and provide a haven from the challenges they face daily,” explained Mdaweni.

The choir currently has 21 members, each with their own story and background.

Through music, the OTYC helps a vulnerable part of the local population develop confidence and a sense of purpose.

“As we delved deeper into our community, we encountered many young people struggling with drugs, gang violence and peer pressure from social media platforms.

“It was clear that our role went beyond creating music- we needed to be a support system, a guiding light and a source of inspiration,” added Mdaweni.

According to Mdaweni, the OTYC acts as an escape for the youth, helping them find fellowship and discover their talents.

What makes this group unique is their unusual blend of energetic youths, passionate harmonies and their mission to help members of the community escape from the circumstances they have experienced themselves.

They are driven by a deep dedication to empowering young voices and promoting social change.

“Through our music, we have created a platform where young people can express themselves, share their stories and find solace; we have become family, we support one another and we have witnessed the transformative power of music firsthand,” continued Mdaweni.

The choir boasts many achievements in the short time they have been active, including being the first choir in our region to be fully booked for December and performing at numerous local events such as weddings and community gatherings.

The OTYC is not only focused on current youth but hopes to perform at local primary schools in the future to inspire the next generation of young musicians.

Another goal on their radar is to perform at more than 20 events, including concerts, festivals and community gatherings.

Through their music, they plan to broaden their horizons by securing sponsorships, partnering with organsations to promote empowerment and change and eventually collaborating with renowned artists and choirs.

The choir members are currently rehearsing for a Human Rights Day event in March that promises to be unforgettable.

More information on this will be shared in the official event post.

The OTYC is open to talented young singers between the ages of 16 and 30.

Anyone looking to join the choir can contact Tshepo Mdawene at 072 277 0214 or contact the group via Facebook on the Our Treasures Youth Choir page.