IT'S A FEZTIVAL

The Cape Malay Choir Board (CMCB) season will reach its climax next week with its Grand Finale to be held at Athlone Stadium on Saturday, 29 November 2025. 

The coveted 1m tall Silver Fez, fondly referred to as the Koefieyah, the trophy that will crown the ultimate champions for the season 2025 will be up for grabs. 

This year for the first time in many years, all the teams will be participating in the Grand Final.

The teams compete in three categories on the day: Grand March Past, Best Dress and Exhibition Marching Drill. 

Points obtained here are then added to the points from the sectional competition and the choir who gets the highest total overall are declared the winners of the Koefieyah.

Ottoman Sporting Club are the current holders of the coveted title.

But they are facing stiff competition this time around. 

At this stage, Jonge Studente lead the pack with 32 points, followed by Rangers SC, Primrose MVC and Marines MC all on 30 points. Further back, Ottoman SC is on 28 points, followed by Boarding Boys on 26 points. 

Mense, anyone of those can win it! Die ding gaan ruk! 

The key to victory will be the Grand March and Exhibition categories. 

I know that all the teams have been hard at work practising their marching! Tot laat in die nag.!

However, traditional marching powerhouses, Young Men Sporting Club and last year’s Grand March Past kings, Angeliere, could throw a spanner in the works. 

Rangers and Jonge Studente have always had good marching squads, and we all know that Ahmed Ismail from Studente is in it to win it this year. 

Primroses, who have never been known for their Grand Finale performances, also delivered well last season. 

If the quality of choral competition this year is anything to go by, teams will be giving it their all, and we are in for a spectacular event.

The defending champions are going to have to up their field game, and pull out all the stops to retain the trophy. 

I truly believe that like the choral competitions, we are going to have a bumper Grand Finale with a fight to the finish to lift the Koefieyah.

Sadly, the original Silver Fez was allegedly stolen four years ago and has never been recovered. 

A sizeable reward was offered for any information that could lead to the recovery of the old trophy - which is over 80 years old and of great sentimental and historical value. 

However, the situation was remedied last year, when InnieKaap sponsored the Cape Malay Choir Board with a brand new, shiny Koefieyah trophy.

Supporters will be allowed to bring their own food to the event, but NO cooldrinks will be allowed into the stadium.

The 12 CMCB Teams teams will participate in the following order on the day:

1. Jonge Studente
2. Villagers
3. Primroses
4. Suburban LG Boys
5. Boarding Boys
6. Marines
7. Jonge Manhattans
8. Young Men
9. Angeliere
10. Ottomans
11. Rangers
12. Parkdales

Gates will open at 12pm and the event is scheduled to start at 1.30pm. Tickets will again only be available online on www.quicket.co.za website. 

Prices are as follows: Adults R80, pensioners R50 and children under the age of 10 years R40. There will be NO live-streaming of the event.