Last week the charismatic choir group from CM Vellem Secondary School won first place at the Regional South African Schools Choral Eisteddfod (SASCE) in Jeffrey’s Bay.
Last week the charismatic choir group from CM Vellem Secondary School won first place at the Regional South African Schools Choral Eisteddfod (SASCE) in Jeffrey’s Bay.
Following this triumph in the Western song category, the choir is hard at work in preparation for the Provincial SASCE Eisteddfod in East London next week.
“We rehearse for an hour every day and for two hours on Saturday. Sometimes we even rehearse early in the mornings,” said choir master Synod Sam, who has been involved with the school choir since 2000.
“I am positive that we are going to be number one,” he said.
Sam said the choir’s dedication comes from their love for church songs, which he used to help develop their love for music.
Ntomboxolo Makhinza, a Grade 9 pupil at the school, has been a choir member for five years and does not mind giving up her Saturdays for the sake of song.
“I enjoy singing and being with my friends,” said Makhinza.
Another pupil who has been part of the choir for only a year said although it is a lot of hard work, there are benefits.
“I hope to become a soloist one day… I enjoy being part of the choir because this is my talent,” said Masimbonge Mtshunga, who is in Grade 8.
The group sings in English, Afrikaans and Sesotho, and it is their English or Western piece, Torno, which won them their place as the champions of Cacadu District. Another Grahamstown representative at the Regional Eisteddfod was Archie Mbolekwa Primary, which came third in the Afrikaans category.
