‘It’s a melting pot, southern Africa. You find these cultural collisions that result in art and music, and it’s pretty amazing’ – Dave Matthews, US singer, song writer and musician
Having had my head down working to deadlines at the laptop for most of the week, it was with great delight that I escaped to see a show last weekend at The Artscape Theatre, here in Cape Town.
For those who enjoy their stats, t’s a forty-year-old arts centre with a seating capacity of approximately 1,500. There was a fascinating exhibition of theatrical costumes and designs in the foyer as well as glasses of bubbly selling for the equivalent of £1.50 (seriously; the good stuff too). All thrilling obviously; but we were there for the Ndlovu Youth Choir.
This wonderful group had already been singing for ten years when they made their international debut back in 2019, during the fourteenth season of America’s Got Talent. I was blown away by their harmonies, tight choreography and that wonderful African equivalent of joie de vivre. I’ve been following them on social media ever since. They didn’t win that competition, but they did win a lot of people’s hearts, and have gone from strength to strength ever since. Their energy, passion, range and synchronicity combine to make your own heart sing.
Unsurprisingly, Africa has more than a modicum of talent herself. This is not just ‘potential’, this is the gifting, will and the heart to make a difference, all presented in successive bursts of colour and in three glorious dimensions.
The choir are all residents of a small village called Moutse in Limpopo, the northern-most province of South Africa, where a community programme expands the possibilities for their young people in this disadvantaged area. Apart from sports and vocational training that’s available there, the choir garners some spectacular singers and dancers. By giving so much time to choral activities, there is little time left for these young people to be caught in some of the more usual distractions and self-destructive enticements of similarly poor communities.
On Saturday, fifteen extraordinarily gifted members blended their voices for us in a variety of cover and original songs from Adele and Ed Sheeran (in Xhosa) to a song called Grateful, penned by one of the choristers, and the title of their newest album. Their big-thinking musical director, Ralf Schmitt, writes songs too: Rise was the inspiring piece written during Covid, when they took advantage of the global hiatus to keep working and expand their repertoire.
Then came a powerful song about the horrific epidemic of femicide in this country, which is currently six times the global average. Two girls harmonised with hauntingly beautiful lyrics including the words:
Oh brothers, Oh fathers, please don’t kill us; please don’t rape us.
You were supposed to love us
You were supposed to protect us.
Enough is enough.
Throughout this piece, the names of hundreds of women who have violently left this world at the hands of men, were projected onto screens. It was a sobering juxtaposition. I don’t think there was a dry eye in the house.
This was a difficult mood to comeback from, but they cleverly segued into Michael Jackson’s The man in the mirror; a reminder that real change always begins with ourselves.
It wasn’t long before the energetic choreography, soaring voices and sheer exuberance of the cast had everyone’s toes tapping again. Apart from that one song, I think I sat there with a smile on my face for the entire show. Not only that, but with front row seats, it was only a matter of time before we were caught up in the dance ourselves. Who could refuse when such a fine young man comes down off the stage and invites you to join the celebration of life?
It was another reminder to me of the stark difference between financial riches and true wealth. Those who live comfortably in spacious houses with running water, electricity (albeit expensive), indoor plumbing and regular meals are not automatically, or necessarily, happy with their lot. Conversely, when you have very little materially, you can find yourself inordinately wealthy in friendships, outlook, kindness, hope, joy and delight in the simple, ordinary things of life.
We could all do with taking a leaf out of this particular book.
We came away uplifted and inspired; drawn into their irresistible circle of warmth, delighted with those inextinguishable African smiles and the stubborn hope that believes there is more to life than simply that which we hold in our hands. Let’s keep holding that truth tightly.
To enjoy a taste of The Ndlovu Youth Choir for yourself, follow any of the links below:
Shosholoza: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7jYdtRTlvgQ&t=115s
The Jerusalema dance challenge: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IlGlmAGskGc
Shallow: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rXLAKG4MjU8
dancingthroughchaos 