Preview
by Benevolence Mazhinji
The magic of Christmas is arriving early in Makhanda this year — tomorrow, to be precise. On Saturday (4 October), the Cathedral of St Michael and St George will come alive with the sound of A Christmas Concert of Joy and Giving, presented by the Rhodes Department of Music and Musicology.
The concert will showcase a blend of classical favourites and timeless Christmas carols, including, O Come, All Ye Faithful, which will be sung in four different languages. The RUC Choir and the Makhanda Community Orchestra will be joined on stage by special guests and soloists Sandile Mabaso and Devon Florence. Sibusiso Njeza, choir instructor for the Rhodes University Chamber Choir (RUCC), said, “The theme for this show is Christmas. It is the spirit of giving, and it is the spirit of showing love. So, the music that we’ve chosen is intended to give that spirit to our audience.”
True to its name, this show is not only about music. All proceeds from the concert will support the Access Music Project (AMP), which nurtures young musical talent in Makhanda, as well as the Department of Music and Musicology Student Bursary Fund. “It is our time to give back, and we’re using that spirit of Christmas to give back to our community because they’ve been giving to us throughout the year,” said Njeza. He said every piece has been selected to convey a sense of warmth and joy, which allows audiences to share in the festive spirit while celebrating the concert’s purpose of giving back.
Concert details
Date: Saturday 4 October 2025
Venue: Cathedral of St. Michael and St. George, Makhanda
Performances: 15:00 and 19:00
Ticket Prices: Adults R50 and Students R30
Tickets available at: Quicket, via email (anele.ngubane@ru.ac.za), or directly from RUCC choristers.
