MOSSEL BAY NEWS - With dedication and a love of music, Isalathiso Primary's junior girls choir and senior boys choir sang their way to the provincial South African Schools Choral Eisteddfod (Sasce) in Cape Town earlier this month, placing second and sixth, respectively.
The school's Folklore team, a mix of learners from grades four to six, also made their way to the provincial competition and placed fourth.
"I am extremely proud of our choirs' achievements. We participate every year, and we have made it through to the provincial competition every year," said the school's principal, Bettie Fipaza.
Isalathiso had two other choirs participating at district level: the infants choir (Grade Ones) and the early child development choir (Grade R). Both came first in the district.
There isn't a provincial leg of the competition for these age categories.
Click here to watch the video of the two choirs singing: https://www.facebook.com/share/r/14fGnvXKR27/
Isalathiso Primary’s senior boys choir and their conductor, Mawande Xuza. Photo: Chelsea Pieterse
Speaking to Mossel Bay Advertiser about the girls choir's second place, the conductor, Yamkela Khethiwe, said the choir is made up of Grade Threes and Fours. In the regional competition, which was in late May, they came third for their Western piece and first for their African piece, and this got them through to the provincials. Only the choirs that place first at the provincial competition will go on to the nationals.
"We started practising in January already. I feel so happy, they all worked so hard and they really deserve this," said Khethiwe.
The senior boys choir's conductor, Mawande Xuza, said they are made up of grades four to seven, and placed first at the regional competition. There were no specific categories for the seniors, as there were for the juniors.
The choir placed sixth for the provincial stage of the competition.
Some of the trophies the choirs won during the regional competition. Photo: Chelsea Pieterse
"It was very hectic and lots of hard work, but educator Minentle Mjikwa assisted, and we made a powerful team," said Xuza.
"I am proud of the boys, it was a wonderful experience. We received a report from the competition on what we need to fix for the next one. It was a learning curve, and I already have a strategy for next year."
Fipaza said she would like to put on a congratulatory celebration for the educators involved with the choirs to motivate them going forward and to thank them for their hard work. If you would like to help with this, contact the school on 044 693 2661.
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