1. Introduction
The founding principle 20 years ago, was “to provide opportunities for talented, underprivileged teenagers to proficiently perform locally and abroad”.
Over the past 20 years, we have consistently sustained, honoured, and increased on this founding principle.
Mzansi Youth Choir has become known for its extraordinary choral and vocal standards from extremely talented teenagers, their pinpoint choreography to complement and support the different genres of music, and a beautiful wardrobe to complete a professional show choir performance package.
The choir’s repertoire stretches wide and covers material from a variety of styles, including traditional, ama-piano, hip-hop, gospel, jazz, pop music, and iconic hits. Executed with that distinctive Mzansi “touch”, recognizable sound, and complex choreography sets. Each performance of up to 80 minutes is created as a bespoke experience for the client. If a new song is specially requested by a client, such as a song in Mandarin for a Chinese audience,
the choir can deliver a polished performance in as a little as a week.
2. The Background Story of Mzansi Youth Choir: The First Years
The choir was founded on 26 July 2003 after a hijack incident, involving the Founders in Alberton, by six unemployed youngsters. Because the Zaaimans as a family love choral music, and appreciate the positive impact it can have on young people’s lives, they decided to make something good out of this ordeal and started a choir to keep at least some of these young people off the streets: it was the first recognizable youth choir in SA without any membership or other fees involved, aimed at underprivileged youth in the East Rand region and Southern Johannesburg, in the Gauteng province in South Africa. The intention from the start was to create not only another youth choir but a show youth choir.
Auditions were held at different schools and the first conductor, Henk Barnard, and accompanist, Franz Geldenhuys, graciously offered their services at no cost for the initial 6 months. Rough diamonds were found at township schools in Thokoza, Vosloorus, Eden Park, Kathlehong, and Johannesburg South. At Mzanzi Youth Choir, they were soon shining diamonds. One of these diamonds founded on the East Rand, fit for any king’s crown, is Siyabonga Maqungu a 15-year-old orphan, whom Mzansi Youth Choir assisted and guided for 4 years until he was introduced to the correct entities and obtained a bursary to study music. Today he is a world-renowned tenor in the Berlin Opera House. The choir performed with Siyabonga in Cape Town in 2019 and found it heartwarming that he still appreciates and acknowledges his Mzansi Youth Choir roots.
The reality
On stage, the choir flourished and the word of this new choir spread faster than expected. From the first rehearsal on the 23rd of July in 2003 with 17 choristers, this number rose rapidly within 6 months to 90 choristers! The Founders, together with three of their friends Prof. Theo and Annie Veldsman as well as Erna Smith, suddenly had to transport and deliver choristers after performances until after midnight to their homes in and around Johannesburg and the East Rand. Choir attire had to be sourced. At times, thirty or more choristers had to stay overnight at the Founders’ home. Meals had to be prepared for every rehearsal and before every performance, because being parents themselves, all involved knew that no teenager can sing and dance on an empty stomach! In 2023, this is still a Mzansi Youth Choir rehearsal tradition; first, we eat together, then we make music together.
For the first 17 years of the choir’s existence, the Veldsman coupleoffered their time unconditionally: Annie Veldsman prepared all meals, spoilt the choir with a special Christmas Dinner every year and sometimes she and Theo housed choristers for a night or two, if necessary. They assisted with travel documents, tours, and choir camps. Annie is still involved part-time on the financial side of the business. The saying goes that one needs a village to raise a child – but one most definitely needs loyal friends to raise a choir!
On-stage milestones
Within the first 18 months of its existence, the choir performed locally with 3 international choirs visiting South Africa: the Kokopelli Youth Choir from Canada, the Tuscon Boys Choir as well as the Harvard University Radcliffe Choral Society from the USA. The word was out indeed! But with all the successes on stage, backstage the new project became an increasingly logistical and financial challenge.
Soweto, our Home
It was decided to relocate Mzansi Youth Choir to the city of Soweto, a formerly outstretched township of the City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality in Gauteng, where former President Mandela resided during the Apartheid years. The name Soweto means South Western Townships which is 15 km from Johannesburg CBD. Today, the city covers an area of 200 square kilometres with an estimated population of over 2 million people (official 2022 data). The main motivation for this decision was to centralize and address the transport challenges effectively.
Membership was restricted to an average of 45-50 Sowetan young people, aged 14 to 24 years. The musical talent in such a high-density area is unspeakable!
After applying for, and receiving a generous National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund, the choir was able to purchase two Mercedes Sprinter Busses. That was, and is a great help. For early morning sound checks and call times, the choristers are at times collected from 01:00 am at their respective homes. After concerts, it takes both drivers up to two hours in total to deliver each chorister safely to his/her doorstep. But our precious choristers are worth the effort, and we have the parents’ trust.
Family Orientated
Very soon after inception, choristers started forming an incredibly close bond – the Mzansi Youth Choir became their safe place and an opportunity to meet other young people with the same mindset, a place to stay away from the streets, drugs, bullies, and gangs. A place where their talent is recognized; where they are respected, regardless of their circumstances and different personalities. Within the first two years, several Mzansi Youth Choir traditions were established which are all still intact and honoured by the choristers, 18 years later.
Currently, the choir rehearses weekly or as and when required. The Creative Team comprising Sidumo and Alfred always brings something new to the table (with much humor and compassion), challenging the choristers to believe in themselves, be disciplined, and professional, and become better with every assignment, staying grateful and humble at all times.
Performances take place on almost a weekly basis. Sometimes there are two or more performances to handle simultaneously. Annually the choir is contracted for an average of 60 corporate performances. Studio recordings and the shooting of videos, collaborations with different artists via invitation, and tours are also regular occurrences – the choir calendar is packed. When required, the choir splits in two to meet demand and we’ve even had three different choirs at three different events at the same time. Once a year the choir conducts a Gala Concert in the elegant Soweto Theatre for parents, family, and friends – a special and important highlight on the choir’s calendar.
Charity performances
Because it is important to also give back to communities, the choristers contribute in their own way to charity by singing annually for the pediatric patients waiting for, or recovering from transplants, in the Charlotte Maxeke Hospital in Johannesburg, cheering them up. In one particular instance, their singing even motivated a critically ill patient to rise and leave her bed for the first time. The choir also performs from time to time at no cost in the famous Regina Mundi Churchin Soweto.
A holistic approach
If needed, choristers are referred to social workers, psychologists, pro-bono dentists, doctors, and specialists. When there is a sudden need e.g. for food, safety, or shelter, it is addressed immediately 24/7, because each chorister’s holistic well-being is important to the Foundation.
Music development:
Continuous vocal training is a very important element for the choir’s musical director, Sidumo. The young talented voices are respected as an instrument, with the potential for further growth. After passing an audition, the hard work starts for a chorister. Good voices are gradually developed and elevated to be outstanding. Initially withdrawn choristers gain confidence and eventually become amazing soloists, owning the stage, often to their own surprise. Choristers are also encouraged to add their own proposals and arrangements during rehearsals – with Sidumo’s assistance to refine it.
The choir is trained not to perform with a conductor standing in front of the choir – even at competitions. They take ownership on stage and can deliver an 80-minute concert on their own with choristers as performers and speakers. Musical theory classes are conducted by Sidumo, as the need arises e.g. with new choristers joining. The choir performs either acapella, with a music backtrack, or a mix of both, and are open to every genre of music, flavoured with their own “Mzansi spice” which Sidumo so skilfully adds where appropriate.
Supportive Choreography
At the same time, the choir’s creative director Alfred has the incredible ability to turn every young Sowetan into a professional dancer!
His emphasis on the importance of complementing and supporting every song’s “story” with facial expressions and movement, became the Mzansi Youth Choir’s unique trademark. Alfred is without a doubt the leader in the field of creative choral choreography.
Leadership Development
Emphasizing and developing leadership and responsibility within Mzansi Youth Choir is another important value with several structures in place: Two Head Choristers operating at a junior management level, together with two Internships, rotating annually. In addition, the choir implements Mentors to assist new choristers with the repertoire, as well as Voice Leaders. Choristers with five or more years of membership, proudly pass on the Mzansi culture to a new generation of choristers. Tours always grant the wonderful opportunity to select and nurture new leaders, impacting effective leadership as well as the management team for the home choir. Seniority is always recognized and valued in the Mzansi Youth Choir, according to years of membership. On stage, choristers wear different bracelets with their costumes, according to their years of membership.
Selections and Performances
For all performances and tours, the choristers and soloists are rotated fairly and according to availability. With a choir of 45-50 extremely talented choristers, this is easily accomplished. Performing choirs consists of an average of 18-22 choristers because they need sufficient space for the complex choreography.
Auditions
The only restrictions for MYC membership are
(1) to be located in the city of Soweto and
(2) aged between 14 and 24 yrs, as it is a Youth Choir.
The choristers’ profiles are an interesting mix of young, school-going learners and students, with some employed and some unemployed young people. For auditions, the candidates have to be under 21 years, to ensure choristers are available for at least a period of 3-4 productive years.
As a result of the low turnover of choristers, auditions are conducted by the creative team during 18-month intervals, only for specific voices needed at that particular stage. Auditions are announced by word of mouth and on the choir’s social media platforms – and the young Sowetan talent responds en mass!
What has the Project Achieved?
· Albums
1. The choir has released seven albums to date.
2. The choir also featured on releases of Beyoncé (The Gift), Riana Nel (Sterker), Coenie de Villiers (Coenie 2.2), Elvis Blue (Hillbrow), on a track together with Judith Sephuma, Busiswa, and JassiQ and other renowned artists and tracks.
· Local Performance Highlights in the first 15 years
Performance highlights throughout South Africainclude One World Music Festival, M-Net Idols, Huisgenoot Skouspel, Starlight Classics, The Voice, the Presidential Inauguration in 2018, KKNK, The National Arts Festival, The South African Music Awards, Krone, Capital Singers, Gender Mainstreaming Awards, and various well-known sports events.
Local performances with international superstars such as Andrea Bocelli, Josh Groban, and Celtic Women were special highlights, engraved in everyone’s memories.Another highlight has been the privilege toperform an arrangement of “Circle of Life” with the legendary composer of The Lion King, Lebo M, himself in Pretoria.
FIFA World Cup with Shakira
During the July 2010 FIFA World Cup with South Africa as proud host, the choir shared the stage with Columbian superstar Shakira and local band Freshly Ground for the performance of the official World Cup song ‘WakaWaka’ at the Kick-Off Concert, as well as in the closing ceremony.
An American company, Controllroom, was appointed for the opening and closing performance of the well-known “WakaWaka”. Mzansi Youth Choir joined in the recording session of the theme song in Johannesburg, days before the event took place. In addition to the initial invitation, the American team requested the choir to conceptualise an original, “very colourful” wardrobe. The team shopped around, and the proposed sample was accepted by Controllroom. Even though the choir has since worn other outfits, this particular performance, and costume was the inception of the choir’s eye-catching outfits, which became the choir’s proud “brand” ever since 2010.
Global Citizen Concert with Beyonce and D’Banj
An incredible highlight presented itself 8 years later, in 2018, with the Global Citizen Concert in the FNB stadium Soweto – to perform in Soweto with the American megastar Beyonce, singing a Mzansi Youth Choir choral arrangement of “Halo”. Beyonce insisted on being accompanied by a choir consisting of members of the South African youth. Sixty minutes before Beyonce’s performance – which filled the full second session of the concert – her team invited Team Mzansi to join them at their dressing rooms’ compound, where their private prior performance tradition was taking place. The 100,000-packed stadium absolutely roared with pleasure when Halo was performed. A magical moment forever to be engraved in those choristers’ memories and in the choir’s history books. What a night!
The choir also performed with Nigerian superstar D’Banj in his opening act at the same historic event, one night prior. After an additional, off-stage choreography rehearsal with Alfred and the choir at his hotel, D’ Banj invited them all to overnight in the hotel. The already excited choristers were ecstatic!
· International Competitions
1. In 2018 the choir won the Gospel Section at the Interkultur World Choir Games with South Africa and Tshwane (Pretoria) as host country and city. As a showcase of South African choral talent to 300 choirs from over the globe, the choir was also invited to perform at the opening ceremony of the Choir Games.
2. In 2020 the choir won the Interkultur World Choir Games first-ever Virtual Competition against 128 choirs from 44 countries. This competition was conducted online, because of the Covid-19 pandemic restrictions. The choristers recorded themselves on phones at their homes and the footage was edited to form a cohesive performance.
3. America’s Got Talent, Season 18: Winners of the First Group Golden Buzzer in April 2023!
· Local Tours
Apart from Gauteng, the choir has performed numerous times in Cape Town, at Sun City, in Durban, at the Grahamstown Arts Festival, KKNK in Oudtshoorn, and with the Drakensberg Boys Choir at their campus in the Drakensberg. Concerts have also been hosted in Bloemfontein, Potchefstroom, and in the exclusive privately owned Sabi Sands Game Reserve next to the Kruger National Park.
· International Tours:
1. The choir toured twice to Canada: in 2011 and 2018 (a 3rd tour is on the cards for 2024). They have performed on the international stage in Toronto’s Canadian National Exhibition and presented daily shows at the sought-after Stratford Summer Musical Festival, receiving overwhelming attendance and applause.
2. In 2012 the choir participated in the Aarhus Festival in Denmark. The Papaya Choir of Denmark invited the choir also to a roundabout tour through Denmark, with daily workshops and sold-out evening shows.
3. In July 2018 the Guildhall in London UK was sold out for a major concert and the Mzansi Youth Choir received a standing ovation. “…..For me, however, all this was eclipsed by what we had heard earlier. Half a dozen songs by the Mzansi Youth Choir from Johannesburg. To say I was bowled over by the musical qualities of these 25 teenage singers – superb intonation, rhythmic precision, softly blending basses, sparky, exuberant sopranos – would be an understatement. Catch them in London and then Glasgow all week.” Richard Morrison, The London Times.
4. Two days after, Mzansi Youth Choir performed in Glasgow, Scotland celebrating Mandela Day in the morning and conducting a solo concert in the evening – and also received a standing ovation.
5. In 2016 the choir was invited to perform in Russia (Moscow and St Petersburg) as part of a full production of South African artists.
6. In April 2017, the choir performed at the International Youth Choir Festival at the Royal Albert Hall in London and in the Royal Festival Hall in London. The Mzansi Youth Choir was the only choir from the African continent to be invited to perform at this prestigious global event and the only choir to receive a standing ovation.
7. In 2019 the choir toured Egypt for the opening of the International Youth Forum.
8. In 2021 the choir performed in the Dubai Opera House of the United Arab Emirates – in a star-studded music concert to showcase South African talent.
9. In 2022 the choir performed again in Dubai at the closure of the World EXPO.
10. In March 2023 the choir participated in a show, celebrating Queen’s Freddy Mercury in Zanzibar, with two South African artists.
11. In April 2023, the choir set foot on USA soil for the first time, in Los Angeles, to participate in the 18th Season of America’s Got Talent!
· Recent Collaborations
1. In 2020 and 2021 the choir participated in virtual video releases with Leslie Odom, Mariea Watkins from USA, as well as Yemi Alade from Nigeria.
2. The choir has also been honoured to work with multiple Grammy award-winner, South African Wouter Kellerman on several projects, including “Stuck with You” during the 2020 lockdown period and “The Climb” post-lockdown.
3. Numerous projects with multiple Grammy award winner Ricky Kej during the lockdown, as well as afterward. This includes the recently completed three tracks for his latest album to be released in 2023.
· Alumni Achievements
1. Today, some chorister alumni include the named opera star in Berlin, advocates, attorneys, chartered accountants, managers as well as solo artists. We have often heard how our choristers impressed in their very first job or bursary interviews, because of their Mzansi Youth Choir experience.
2. Other chorister alumni have gained confidence and were able to start their own entrepreneurial businesses e.g. a car wash in the township, or a catering business some even forming and conducting their own choirs in their churches and community. A few years ago, one of our busses’ drivers was an alumnus.
· Latest Releases
The choir regularly releases singles.
Corporate Governance
o The Foundation has annual clean audits every year, and its 2022 audited financial statements are available. The 2023 financial statements are currently being prepared for auditing.
o The Foundation is a Section 18A institution that has tax benefits for sponsors
o The Foundation is an NPC, NPO with Level 1 BBBEE Grading
o No membership or any other fees are expected from choristers.
Conclusion
- Since 2003 more than 600 choristers have passed through the choir with many amazing stories. For all involved, it is a humbling honour to be part of the formation of well-rounded youngsters, preparing them for the world outside after they have left MYC.
2. The initial founding principle 20 years ago, was “to provide opportunities for talented, underprivileged teenagers to proficiently perform locally and abroad”. Regardless of challenges and changes, this founding principle still is the solid foundation of the choir and successfully complied with.
- The mother of a young tenor, who recently joined the choir, shared that, after only 10 months of membership, her son’s behavior at home and school has changed completely for the better. He is smiling more; a much happier child, constantly singing. This is a common and heartwarming testimony of parents and guardians, teachers, and employers.
- And what do the choristers themselves say about their MYC experience? Below, are some quotes from choristers on what the choir and the foundation mean to them and how it has impacted their lives:
o I have learnt a lot of things, like discipline and tolerance. Mzansi Youth Choir gives me a reason to wake up in the morning.
o Mzansi Youth Choir keeps me optimistic and helps me to dream and realise my dreams. Without the choir, my life would be empty and without vision.
o It is like being in a choir full of angels sent from above. Without Mzansi Youth Choir I would be lazy and boring.
o I thank God for putting me in this choir. What would my life have been without Mzansi Youth Choir? Miserable!! I have learned to concentrate and [have met] exciting people.
o I always feel at home at choir. My life will suck without Mzansi Youth Choir, ‘cause nothing will replace that special peace in my life.
o It is a family orientated group and means hope for a positive future. My life would be unproductive and hopeless without Mzansi Youth Choir.
o The choir means so much to me, I think of it all the time! It is my second family. Since I joined, my life has never been the same again. I am never absent because I cannot get through my week without it
o Ever since I joined Mzansi Youth Choir, I have been so much happier. I can express myself artistically; it gives me a taste of what true freedom is like – I feel important and liked and I have a purpose.
o I have been abused by family, but here I am safe, and found peace.
o My life without Mzansi Youth Choir would be nothing because it is the only thing I have in my life.
Culture and the creative economy are the cement that binds together not only hearts and souls but entire societies and nations. To sustain the immeasurable impact music has in rebuilding South Africa after Covid–19, supporting this initiative is a powerful message
