SIYAPHAKAMA Adult Choir will this year celebrate 20 years of making the world a brighter place through choral music.
Formed in July 1997, the club’s aim was initially to curb crime and revive and nurture choral music in Komani.
Choir managers Thomas Kolo and Mlibokazi Mfundisi ensure that Siyaphakama ’s melodic sounds have become well known.
The choir consists of school pupils and college students from areas in the Chris Hani District and Mthatha with ages ranging from 17 to 35.
Kolo said as the choristers lived in different areas, transport to practices was a big problem. Rehearsals run from 6pm to 8.30pm during the week.
“The choir plans to have camps to accommodate choristers living outside of Komani. Siyaphakama continues to fulfil its objectives, especially that of reviving choral music in this area and around the province.”
The choir uses the premises of the Howard Ben Mazwi Junior Secondary School and Gali Thembani Youth Centre.
“We sometimes pay the municipality for the use of the community hall at Ezibeleni, regardless of the fact that Siyaphakama Adult Choir is a non-profit organisation. Thanks to the department of sport recreation, arts and culture (DSRAC) for their assistance.”
Siyaphakama has represented the Eastern Cape on various occasions, including at the Oude Meester National Festival in Durban in 1999, and at the Sasol Choir Festival in Durban in 2002.
The choir has produced phenomenal soloists, including the likes of Zuko Mahlaba, Phumzile Magongoma and Ludwe Makwayiba. It has recorded twice with Ukhamba Productions for the Imizwilili programme on SABC1.
“This choir serves as a role model to choirs in the province and has made a contribution in pushing back the barriers of poverty. The soloists who win in the competitions take their incentives home.”
