Bolivia - The Limpopo Department of Education together with Motsepe Foundation hosted the ABC Motsepe South African Schools Choral Eisteddfod (SASCE) for 107 public primary and secondary schools from ten (10) Education Districts at Bolivia Lodge, Polokwane.

The competition remains one of the most important school enrichment programs coordinated by the Limpopo Department of Education at the provincial level to promote unity in diversity, national reconciliation, positive values, social transformation and social cohesion among school going young South African children.

The choral competitions were last held in 2019 and returns after a long break caused by the Covid-19 pandemic to inspire learner choirs across the province by expressing themselves through music.

The competitions serve as one of the most significant cultural events on the department’s annual school calendar. The aim of the competition is to enhance the musical capacities of South African learners through on-stage musical performance.

Each year the Eisteddfod draws in thousands of learners from across the country to compete in this impressive event with more than 50 secondary and 40 primary schools participating with 60 members per choir and total over 3,500 participants. The ABC Motsepe SASCE Eisteddfod has opened many doors for acclaimed international artists such as Pretty Yende, Phumeza Matshikiza, Given Nkosi and Hlengiwe Mkhwanazi.

Every song from the beginning of the competitions was expected to be sang by 10 choirs.

Throughout the days the competitions consisted of 22 categories namely:

• Own Choice (Special Schools Grade 5-7 and Grade 8-12).
•  Boys Choir (From a Distance by Julie Gold and You’ll Never Walk Alone by R. Rodgers and O Hammerstein II).
• Western (Didn’t My Lord by H.T Burleigh and Glorious by Stephanie Mabley).
• African (Estezi by Thobile Mthiyane and Tshegang by Joe S.P. Motuba).
• Mixed Double Quartet (Leeba by J.P Mohapeloa - Farm Schools: Grade 8-12).
• Primary and Secondary Folklore.
• Solo Soprano (Heimwee by S Marais and J Van Bruggen).
• Solo Mezzo- Soprano (Che Scompiglio by W>A Mozart).
•  Solo Tenor (Izigodi Ziyoleelezeiwa Text by Sam Shabalala).
•  Solo Bass/ Baritone (Come Paride Vezzoso by G Donizetti).
•  Trio (Most Beautiful Appear by F.J Hadyn).
• Quintet (Kuwe Mthombo We Ngoma by Ntuthuko.G SIBISI).
•  Females (Flower duet by Leo Delibes and Veins Malika by Leo Delibes).
•  Males (Umsunduzi River by Ntuthuko G Sibisi).
•  Secondary B SATB Western (Lift Up Your Heads, O Ye Gates- The Messiah by G.F Handel).
•  Secondary A SATB Western (Quando Corpus Moritetur by F.J Haydn).
•  Secondary B SATB African (Halala SASCE by Tom Sitshothwana).
•  Secondary A SATB African  (Nelson Mandela by Lihle Biata).

Congratulations to the winners, who will now proceed to represent Limpopo at the national competition from 28 June - 1 July 2022.

 Story by Tshegofatso Makgatho