Latest news with #NdlovuYouthChoir
IOL News
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- IOL News
Ndlovu Youth Choir celebrates South African heritage with nationwide tour
South Africa's cherished musical ambassadors, the Ndlovu Youth Choir, are set to embark on their much-anticipated 2025 Heritage Tour this September. From their humble beginnings in the small village of Moutse in Limpopo, the Ndlovu Youth Choir has expanded its influence beyond South African borders, captivating audiences at iconic venues such as Carnegie Hall and the Berlin Philharmonie. In an enthusiastic message shared on social media, the choir expressed their excitement: 'Tour rehearsals are in full swing. We are so thankful to Stellantis for driving our tour and taking us around the country.' Their return to South Africa signifies a homecoming, where they will reconnect with their roots and showcase their talents to audiences who have followed their journey. Ndlovu Youth Choir has graced platforms like America's Got Talent, which have earned them international acclaim, alongside collaborations with global megastars including P!nk and Kygo. Remarkably, the choir has also partnered with leading entertainment giants like Disney and Netflix, resulting in raising over $5 million for UNICEF. But this September, they're bringing their celebrated talents back home, where the journey began. The Heritage Tour is shaped as more than just a series of concerts; it stands as a national celebration, highlighting the rich cultural tapestry of South Africa. While the Ndlovu Youth Choir has consistently sold out shows in major metropolitan centres, this tour is particularly ambitious, focusing on small towns and underserved communities. For many South Africans, attending a performance will offer the rare opportunity to witness the full-scale international production of the choir live in their own hometowns. Each performance promises an interactive and joyous experience, brimming with a blend of reimagined traditional African songs, local original compositions, and iconic global hits, all delivered in the Ndlovu Youth Choir's signature style. Audience members will be encouraged to stand, sing, and dance throughout the evening as they celebrate the spirit of the nation, its music, and above all, its people. In collaboration with Jacaranda FM, the tour promises a vibrant celebration of South African music, dance, and unity, reaching communities nationwide. Saturday Star
The Citizen
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Citizen
Forbes and Basadi celebrates Ferndale Ridge music manager
Local resident Tholsi Pillay is earning well-deserved praise for her work behind the scenes in South Africa's music industry. From her home in Ferndale Ridge, Pillay was recently named Champion of Entertainment Promotion at the 2025 Forbes Woman Africa Awards, and she's now a finalist for Artist Manager of the Year at the upcoming Basadi in Music Awards. Best known for managing Grammy-winning flautist Wouter Kellerman, Pillay has helped take South African talent to international stages, including Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Centre, and the FIFA World Cup closing ceremony. Her efforts have not only boosted Kellerman's career; they have supported rising stars like the Ndlovu Youth Choir, who reached the finals of America's Got Talent. Read more: Blairgowrie Music Concert stars set to compete internationally She explained that the Forbes award isn't just a personal win. 'It recognises all of us working in the background,' she said, adding that a lot of creative work happens offstage and often goes unnoticed. Pillay has lived in Ferndale Ridge for over a decade. 'This suburb is my creative space. Randburg gives me the quiet I need to plan big moves while staying connected to Johannesburg's fast pace.' The Basadi in Music Awards will take place on August 2 at the Joburg Theatre. Pillay is nominated alongside other top managers, such as Hloni Mohlala and Phindile Matroshe. As co-owner of Kellerman Music and a voting member of the Recording Academy (Grammys), Pillay continues to influence the industry. She has also co-produced projects featuring artists like Zakes Bantwini and Nomcebo Zikode, including one that earned Grammy recognition. Looking ahead, Pillay hopes her recent honours will inspire more recognition for those working behind the curtain. 'We don't always get the spotlight, but that doesn't mean we don't make the magic happen.' Follow us on our Whatsapp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok for the latest updates and inspiration! Have a story idea? We'd love to hear from you – join our WhatsApp group and share your thoughts! At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
21-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Citizen
WATCH: Youth choir thrills as Kruger sunset and bush sounds play along
The Ndlovu Youth Choir received a well-deserved 'golden buzzer' from the Kruger National Park audience at Friday night's (June 13) Kruger Concert for Conservation organised by the SANParks Honorary Rangers. The choir first shot to fame in 2019 when they ended in the top 10 of America's Got Talent, stealing the hearts of the judges and audiences in the process. From humble beginnings as a choir from a remote village in Limpopo, the group's new-found fame took them on a global journey, performing, producing music albums and garnering millions of views on social media platforms. With perfect weather and a magical setting, the evening started with the 500 guests enjoying harvest table delicacies and sipping on a variety of great wines, gin and bubbly. WATCH THE VIDEO HERE: Set against the sunset canvas of red and orange and the life-size Honorary Rangers elephants standing tall next to the main stage, the Skukuza runway was transformed. Better ambience could not have been asked for when the concert commenced with the Lowveld group, Meisie Music, featuring Naomi Tagg and Janette Rottcher on violins, with Lizanne Barnard on piano, vocals, flute and drum. Their renditions of 'The Fire Within', 'My Sarie Marais', 'Now We are Free' and 'Mamela' lay the foundation for the rest of the programme. With everyone in high spirits, the internationally acclaimed Ndlovu Youth Choir burst onto the stage after a short break, filling the air with vibrant song and dance. Crowd favourites like 'My African Dream', 'Shosholoza', Toto's 'Africa', and a twist on Kurt Darren's song 'Kaptein' had everyone tapping their feet. You could hear a pin drop when their adaptation of 'Nessun Dorma', with its distinct African sounds, was performed. The audience rewarded it with a standing ovation. Even more unexpected was the rendition of 'Bohemian Rhapsody', unlike anything heard before. Ralf Schmitt, the co-founder and artistic director of the Ndlovu Youth Choir, proudly announced that the official release of the song will take place in the next few weeks. The youngsters' powerhouse vocals, irresistibly combined with mesmerising choreography and infectious energy, ignited the audience, and by the time they played out with 'Pata Pata', everyone was on their feet. The evening not only shared a musical message of hope, love and cohesion, but also kindled the African spirit of those in attendance. The main sponsors, First National Bank and Suzuki Nelspruit, were equally impressed with the evening. Head of fundraising for the Honorary Rangers Lowveld Region, Linda Pieters, said the event exceeded all expectations. 'We are truly blessed with the generosity of our sponsors and the guests who attended. The funds will be used for various approved projects in the Kruger National Park.' At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading! Stay in the know. Download the Caxton Local News Network App Stay in the know. Download the Caxton Local News Network App here
The Citizen
06-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Citizen
Rhythm in the wild: Book now to see Ndlovu Youth Choir live in Kruger
Rhythm in the wild: Book now to see Ndlovu Youth Choir live in Kruger Get ready for an extraordinary night of music, culture and purpose at the upcoming Kruger Concert for Conservation, headlined by the world-renowned Ndlovu Youth Choir. Taking place next Friday, June 13, this exclusive fundraising event is part of the prestigious Kruger Concert for Conservation series. With the vast and untamed beauty of Kruger National Park as its setting, the evening promises an inspiring blend of artistry and advocacy. Seats are limited for this one-of-a-kind experience. General admission tickets are R1 150 and include a complimentary glass of wine or gin, a selection of harvest table snacks, and a concert ticket – making it a night to remember in support of a vital cause. The event is co-hosted by the SANParks Honorary Rangers Lowveld to raise funds for conservation efforts in the Kruger National Park. Seats are limited, book now Guests are encouraged to book early on Quicket to secure their seats. Conservation fees and accommodation are not included. No private vehicles will be allowed, but convenient shuttle services will be provided from Nelspruit, Kruger Gate and the Pretoriuskop and Skukuza rest camps. Shuttle tickets can be booked when you book your concert tickets on the Quicket website. You can elevate your concert experience with an exclusive hospitality package, designed to make your evening at the Kruger Concert for Conservation truly unforgettable. While general seating offers a fantastic experience, the hospitality package provides the ultimate way to enjoy this prestigious event. What's included in your hospitality package? A premium welcome experience at the concert with an abundant harvest table and a complimentary glass of wine. A concert ticket. A guided game drive to the concert venue through the iconic Kruger bushveld. Bed and breakfast accommodation at the serene and stylish Nkambeni Safari Lodge. Return shuttle service between the lodge and the concert venue. Package pricing: R2 550 per person sharing R2 925 for a single person Important: When booking, please indicate whether you would like a shared or a single package. The return shuttles leave from 14:30, and guests must ensure they check in at Nkambeni Safari Lodge before their shuttle departs. Bookings for hospitality packages can only be done through Linda Pieters. Please email her. As proud sponsors of the Kruger Concert for Conservation, both FNB Mpumalanga and Produkta Motor Suzuki Nelspruit share a commitment to preserving South Africa's natural and cultural heritage. Ken Ngcobo of FNB Mpumalanga shared: 'FNB is deeply committed to preserving and uplifting South Africa's natural and cultural heritage. Our support for this initiative is a reflection of that mission, strengthening the vital conservation efforts led by the Kruger Honorary Rangers in the Kruger National Park. By protecting this iconic and historic environment, we help sustain the tourism industry in Mpumalanga and ensure future generations can experience its wonders.' PD Terblanche of Suzuki Nelspruit echoed this sentiment, saying: 'Music and nature both have the power to unite and inspire. We're honoured to support an event that celebrates both while contributing to vital conservation efforts.' Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
23-05-2025
- General
- The Citizen
Harmful alien plant species removed by SANParks Honorary Rangers
The biodiversity of the Kruger National Park (KNP) faces a serious threat from invasive alien plant species that are not indigenous to the region and have been introduced either intentionally or accidentally. These plants, also referred to as exotic, non-native, or foreign species, include well-known invaders such as lantana (Lantana camara), paraffin weed (Chromolaena odorata), queen of the night cactus (Cereus jamacaru), prickly pear (Opuntia spp.), famine weed (Parthenium hysterophorus), pompom weed (Campuloclinium macrocephalum), Mauritius thorn (Caesalpinia decapetala) and slender potato creeper (Solanum seaforthianum.) ALSO READ: Youth Forum plants indigenous trees in White River To combat this, the SANParks Honorary Rangers (SHR) in the Lowveld region co-ordinate regular hack duties that are volunteer-driven operations focused on removing these plants from affected areas in the park. The hack operations are physically demanding and form a continuous part of conservation efforts. Amelda Obermeyer, the SHR hack co-ordinator in the Lowveld region, says: 'We employ several methods for invasive plant removal, including mechanical control, which involves physically cutting or uprooting the plants, often followed by the application of approved herbicides to prevent regrowth. With biological control, natural enemies such as the cochineal insect (Dactylopius opuntiae), which targets specific plant species like the prickly pear and queen of the night, are used.' In May 2025, the team had a successful hack at Nkambeni Safari Camp and Mdluli Safari Lodge. A total of 14 dedicated volunteers from six different SHR regions took part. During this effort, over 2 000 lantana plants and 600 paraffin weed plants were eradicated. Events like the upcoming open-air performance by the renowned Ndlovu Youth Choir, under the stars in the Kruger National Park, are essential for fundraising. ALSO READ: Experience the magic of Ndlovu Youth Choir under the stars at Kruger Concert for Conservation The event on June 13 promises to be an unforgettable evening. There are limited exclusive overnight glamping packages available at Nkambeni Safari Camp. The cost is R2 550 per person sharing and R2 950 per single person, which includes bed and breakfast, concert tickets with a harvest table and a glass of wine, a return shuttle with a game drive experience and conservation fees. Bookings can be made with Linda Pieters at lowveldfundraising@ At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
