GIFT NDOLWANE
JOHANNESBURG – INTERNATIONALLY renowned Mzansi youth choir has promised to mesmerise Joburg residents with their exquisite youthful sound, sensational choreography, pulsating energy, buoyancy, vibrancy this Saturday at Joburg Theatre’s Mandela Stage.

The one night event, which will be free of charge, will feature an assortment of local and international music and incorporate elements of traditional music, pop and jazz.

“The Mzansi Youth Choir would like to thank South Africa and more particularly the people of Johannesburg for their incredible support of the choir,’’ says music director Ralf Schmitt

Established in July 2003 to exposing talented but underprivileged teenagers and young adults, between 14 and 24 years old, the group consists of 45 choristers from Soweto and other areas in and around Johannesburg.

‘Over the past 13 years we have been able to provide countless young South Africans the opportunity to showcase and develop their talents on local and international stages ‘adds Schmitt.

Those who are not familiar with the group ‘s sound can recall during the 2010 FIFA World Cup when the choir shared the stage with Columbian superstar Shakira and local band Freshly Ground for the performance of the official World Cup song Waka Waka at the Kick-Off Concert as well as the World Cup Final.

This 90-minute concert will include all the favourite renditions they are known to perform with such flair including their popular Hugh Masekela Medley, Circle of Life, Homeless, Pata Pata and African Dream.

They will also be performing their newly released single Say Africa for the first time, which was popularised by jazz musician Vusi Mahlasela, whose s positive lyrics are inspired by Africa.

The Mzansi Youth Choir likes to portray a true yet overwhelmingly positive story about their country and continent in their recordings.

The song was recorded in Johannesburg and mixed in San Fransisco by Grammy Award winning acapella producer, Bill Hare. Bill has worked with top international acapella groups such as The Pentatonix and King Singers.

The Mzansi Youth Choir is widely regarded as one of the best show choirs in the country. Performance highlights include the One World Music Festival, M-Net Idols, Huisgenoot Skouspel, Starlight Classics, The Voice, The Presidential Inauguration, KKNK, The National Arts Festival, The South African Music Awards, as well as performances with the Andrea Bocelli and Josh Groban.

Internationally they have performed in countries like Canada, Denmark, England, Scotland and Turkey.

They have also featured at the Aarhus Vocal Festival (AAVF), which is Europe’s largest contemporary vocal festival and featured the world’s top acapella groups.

Most recently the choir received rousing standing ovations after their performance at the London Guildhall as well as at the Nelson Mandela Day/Commonwealth Games celebrations in Glasgow.

-gift.ndolwane@cajnewsafrica.com Twitter @GNdolwane