Updated event details

Mpumalanga: 19 August @ the Witbank Civic Theatre

Time: 13h00

Tickets: R50 per person. Tickets available at Computicket

 _______________________________________________

East London: 01 September @ the Orient Theatre

Time: 13h00

Tickets: R50 per person. Tickets available at Computicket

Celebrating Women's Month in Witbank and East London

Mpumalanga: 19 August @ the Witbank Civic Theatre

On 19 August, during Women’s month, Sing Africa Sing will be honouring four amazing women who have made a remarkable contribution to choral music world: Pretty Yende, Frances Conradie, Paulinah  Mphahlaza, Sibongile Manana.

These are women who serve as an inspiration to many talented women who are looking to carve a career within the choral and classical music space, as well as those who seek to support and elevate the profile of this music genre.

Pretty Yende

Pretty Yende is an award winning South African soprano who has received numerous accolades. Most recently Yende was declared the 2011 Winner of Placido Domingo’s Operalia World Competition as well as the Pepita Embil Domingo Prize for Zarzuela and the Audience Prize, the first time for one singer to win all three prizes since the existence of the competition.

MEC Sibongile Manana

Manana is currently MEC for Culture, Sport and Recreation in Mpumalanga. In her role as MEC, she has played a significant role in the upliftment of choral music in Mpumalanga through providing the necessary guidance and support required to develop the sector.

“This has been an area which has never been given the necessary recognition and attention in the province. The moment I received a request from the leadership of the Mpumalanga Choral Association to meet with them, it dawned on me that this was the opportunity I have been waiting for" said Manana.

Paulinah Mphahlaza

Mpumalanga Province prides itself with achievements and change in choral music brought about by Mphahlaza through her sterling stewardship of Tirisano Schools Choral Eisteddfod. This initiative has evolved to unify the previously fragmented schools music competition and has become the largest choral music event in the country, and is now called South African Schools Choral Eisteddfod.

 Frances Conradie

Conradie on the other hand has kept a relatively low media profile but her work with choirs and soloists goes back a long way - as far as 1966. She has served as a renowned piano accompanist for numerous soloists and choirs.

The choirs that will be performing at the concert include:

African Serenade (Ermelo)

Africa Sings (Witbank)

Msukaligwa (Ermelo)

Eastern Sounds (Middelburg)

These choirs will then perform together as part of a mass choir.

__________________________________

East London: 26 August @ the Orient Theatre

Later on in August, Sing Africa Sing shines the spotlight on East London where we will be honouring two prominent composers: Bongani Samuel Cola and Christian Thanduxolo Ngqobe

Both gentlemen have since passed on: Cola in 2000 and Ngqobe in 2007.  

The Sing Africa Sing team believes that the contribution made by these two gentlemen to the South African choral music space has been incredible.  It is only fitting to host an event that honours them and the body of work that they have produced.

Bongani  Samuel Cola

Cola was born at Papane (Beja) village, Tabankulu on the 20th January 1965.  He started to compose and to write real songs while he was at the Junior Secondary school, composing for Methodist choir competitions in the village. The gift grew up to the level where he started composing for Junior Secondary Schools right up to Senior Secondary schools, and subsequently for big mainstream adult choirs.

He composed many songs and hymns such as: Kwanele, Ingqaka, Nantso Ke Mandela, Afrika, Ingoduko,  ‘Imbudumbudu, Bayethe ma Afrika

Christian Thanduxolo Ngqobe

Ngqobe was born in 1957 in Flagstaff.  He started composing in 1995 and his first song Makhesijonge I-R.D.P was performed at the Transkei Choral Association (TRACA) in that same year.

He became a conductor at Ndaliso Secondary School and this is where his songs were first performed. The Christian element in his upbringing is evident in all his songs.  He was known to say that the two people who inspired him the most were Mzwandile Matthews and Sheila Speelman. His compositions have been prescribed regularly by the Old Mutual/ Telkom National Choir Festival since 1996.

He is best known for one of his greates tworks: The Crucifixion, which is an extended series of choral songs. His other compositions include but are not limited to: Masimanyane MaKristu, Ayikhw' Indlela MaKristu, Phansi Ngobusela, Amandla omthandazo, Endlelen’ eye Golgotha

The choirs that will be performing at the concert include:

Siyaphakama Adult Choir

Transnet Port Terminal

The Matthews Singers

Zwelitsha Adult Choir

Butterworth Services Choir

King Choristers

These choirs will then perform together as part of a mass choir.

For further info please send queries to:

Ukhamba Communications

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> </><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> </><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> </><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> </><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> </> <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> </> <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> </><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> </>

Sibonisile Mpofu	mpofusibonisile@gmail.com	011 888 9841 or 011 025 1333
	info@ukhamba.com

Interview with Prof Mzilikazi Khumalo on SABC2: Morning Live - on 23 May 2012

Sing Africa Sing - Honorees

Welcome to the Sing Africa Sing blog!

Honouring our icons through choral music

Over the next few weeks we will share exciting news about upcoming Sing Africa Sing events that will take place in Mpumalanga and Eastern Cape. Please check this post regularly for further updates.

Sing Africa Sing™ is a series of music concerts that was conceptualised by Ukhamba Communications in a quest to showcase and celebrate the art of choral music through honouring our icons in the choral music fraternity as well as the broader community, especially political figures. The concept was officially launched in July 2011 with a choral celebration to honour Tata Mandela on his birthday. [Jozi's musical tribute to Madiba]

This initiative highlights the passion, enthusiasm and commitment of Ukhamba Communications to the upliftment of choral music in South Africa. Over the years, Ukhamba Communication’s role in choral music community has come to be defined as that of an unofficial caretaker of choral music, through amongst other activities, the production of Imizwilili (Choral music show on SABC 1) and conceptualisation and hosting of Sing Africa Sing concerts.

We recently celebrated the life and works of one of the fathers of African song Prof. Mzilikazi Khumalo in Johannesburg at the Linder Auditorium on the 27th May 2012. This also served as a celebration of his 80th birthday. [Honour for master of SA choral music]


Prior to this particular event, we celebrated two choral music icons in KZN: Mr S.B.P Mnomiya and Mr Qinisela Sibisi. This event was held at the Durban City Hall in March 2012. [Top choral composers to get their recognition]

We are looking forward to honouring and showcasing the talent that resides in the choral music genre in South Africa and the rest of Africa.

We hope that you will be part of these celebrations!