Injongo Primary School choir in Khayelitsha is appealing to local businesses to assist them with funds to participate in a national school choir competition to be held in Rhema, Johannesburg, on Tuesday 28 June.
Injongo became champions of ABC Motsepe South African Schools Choir Eisteddfod (SASCE) on Thursday 26 May after winning the Western Cape song category called Glorious.
They represented the Metro East District at Arts Cape in Cape Town.
School teacher and choir conductor Mandla Kala also walked away with the honours for the best conductor. He described their success in choral music as a norm, adding that the school is popular with music.
He stated that it’s not the first time the choir participated in the SASCE. “It is a norm at the school to be part of the competition. Almost every year we take part in the competition. The last time we participated was in 2019 and we were in third position. But due to Covid-19 regulations the competition was suspended as we restarted it again this year,” he explained.
Kala stated that the school is now facing a mammoth task of raising funds for the trip.
“We have about 60 members in the choir. And we have to pay for transport, accommodation, catering and so on. Judging based on the background of our learners not all of them will be able to have money to pay. And our wish is to see all of them going to the competition,” said Kala.
He thanked the staff members and parents for their support during the preparation for the event. He stated that they worked so hard for them to succeed.
“The choir has put Khayelitsha on the map and we encourage other learners to be involved in other school activities because not all of them are good in their academics,” he said.
School Governing Body chair Philiswa Marman-Faba reiterated Kala’s remarks that it is their wish that all the choir members be able to go to the competition. She said it is the school culture to become champions in choral music.
“We urge support from the community so that our children can fulfil their dreams. We also believe that we will be crowned as champions on June 28,” she said.
Anyone who wants to assist can contact Mandla Kala on 083 3745989.