The choral music scene in Eswatini has witnessed a historic upset following the Ntjilo-Ntjilo competition held on September 20 at the UNESWA Sports Emporium. Pure Voices, a newcomer choir in the Large Category, clinched the top position in the African piece category, outperforming seasoned heavyweights and toppling the legendary His Majesty’s Correctional Services Choir. This victory marks a significant shift in the musical hierarchy, with Pure Voices delivering a masterclass performance of the prescribed African piece ‘Tinkhabi Tiyaphekelwa’, composed by Mathokoza Sibiya.
His Majesty’s Correctional Services Choir, which has dominated the African piece division for a long time, fiercely defended their reputation by securing number one in the Western piece category. However, it was Pure Voices that captured the hearts of the audience and claimed the ultimate glory of the day. The competition drew a large number of choral music enthusiasts and proved to be a highlight moment for the nation’s choral landscape, marked by fierce competition and stellar performances.
The event also marked a major achievement for other rising ensembles, including Lugubhu LweNgwenyama, formerly known as Sweet Sounds, which made its debut appearance in the large category. The competition featured a formidable line-up of participating groups, including Royal Eswatini Police Service Choir, Manzini Choir, Gebeni Choristers, and Eswatini Mighty Voices. These choirs showcased their talents, contributing to the high standard of the competition.
Speaking at the event, competition Founder and Director Mathokoza Sibiya emphasized the core mission of the tournament: nurturing local talent. He noted that the competition is entirely focused on growing emaSwati, a vision reinforced by the strict rule requiring all choristers to present their national identity cards to verify their citizenship. This ensures that the competition remains true to its purpose of promoting local choral music.
Eswatini National Council of Arts and Culture CEO Stanley Dlamini, representing the Minister for Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs, Bongani Nzima, lauded the conductors for elevating the standard of competition and driving fierce rivalry for the prize money. Dlamini committed to supporting the choral music fraternity, specifically pledging assistance for local choirs traveling abroad to compete. This government backing is expected to boost the growth of choral music in Eswatini.
Sihle Gumbi, President of the Eswatini National Choral Music Association, expressed profound gratitude to the sponsors for their vital role in backing the art form and making a world-class production possible. The sponsors' support sets a high benchmark for the remainder of the choral season, and their involvement is crucial for the continued growth of choral music in the country.
The winning choirs did not receive their cheques on the day of the competition; instead, a separate prize presentation will be held. Pure Voices' victory, along with the success of other participating choirs, demonstrates the thriving state of choral music in Eswatini and the potential for local talent to shine on both national and international stages.
Key points
- Pure Voices, a newcomer choir, won the top spot in the African piece category at the Ntjilo-Ntjilo competition.
- The competition, held on September 20, featured a range of local choirs, including His Majesty’s Correctional Services Choir and Royal Eswatini Police Service Choir.
- The event aims to nurture local talent and promote Eswatini's choral music scene, with government support pledged for future competitions.
