DREAM BIG - Keep The Dream competition heads for dramatic finale at CTICC

THE Keep The Dream Malay Choir Board (KTDMCB) competition comes to a head this weekend and the big question is: Who can stop Young West Ministers Sporting Club from claiming the title?

Ten teams participated with four teams in section 1 on Saturday, 6 December and the remaining six teams in Section 2 last Sunday. 

And this Sunday, all ten choirs will take the stage to decide the winner of the Nazeem Benjamin Heritage Cup this Sunday at the CTICC. The event will start at 1.30pm and doors will open at 12 noon. 

After dominating Section 1, Westies have a total of 43 points, having swept the board with six first prizes and a third out of seven categories.

The rest of the teams in the section were no match for Westies president Abdullah Doutie’s span. 

He said: “There’s something special about the Young West Ministers Sporting Club - something deeper than skill or competition. It’s the way this team stands together, lifts one another, and carries the culture with pride in every performance. 

“Their journey this season has been shaped by resilience, strengthened by commitment, and ons staan saam at all times.”

Section 2 was a much closer affair, with Young Zinnias Sporting Club pipping rivals Starlites Male Choir by two points to top the section with 32 points. Zinnias won the Combined Chorus, but a personal highlight of the evening was the Nederlandse lied rendered by Santos MC. 

Kashief Carelse led a solid singpak to deliver a simple old-school lied that was appreciated by the audience. 

Their first prize was met with unanimous approval by the crowd.

I expected a lot more from defending champions, Tjommies, but the boys from Hanover Park failed to deliver. Tjommies executive member Samier Jacobs, was bitterly disappointed and said: “Die dinge het skeef geloop vanaand, maar ons gaan hard terug kom anner week!”. 

It was not a good night for the Hanover Park teams, as Locals SK also did not do well, neither did Broadways Students SC, who got great applause from a sympathetic audience.

KTDMCB president Yassien Floris paid tribute to all the choirs. He said, “I wish to express my sincere gratitude to our choirs, patrons and all stakeholders that make our event possible. 

I salute each and every choir for their participation dedication, discipline and hard work, remembering that each and every choir is a winner.”

To crown the season’s champions, points from the sectional performances are carried forward to Sunday’s competition.

The team with the accumulated highest points overall will be the KTDMCB champions for 2025. 

It would seem that Westies already have one hand on the trophy, however, Young Zinnias will be celebrating 50 years of choral excellence next year and they would love to enter the 50 years as the reigning champions. 

Also, I will not discount Starlites. They are not too far behind and experience tells us that you have to deliver when it matters, when you are on stage.

I am of the opinion that we are in for a good competition on Sunday and I want to encourage our people to support our choirs, who, despite tough economic times, turn up year after year to entertain us. Let us show them that we appreciate their efforts!

The ticket price is R150 and tickets is available from all the teams. Teams will perform in the following order:

1. Broadway Students MC
2. Locals SK
3. Rosebuds YD
4. Tjommies
5. Young Hearts
6. West London Dukes
7. Santos MVC
8. Starlites
9. Young Zinnias SC
10. Young West Ministers SC

BONUS EVENT

Primrose MVC will be hosting their now famous annual “SINGKRING” this Friday at Le Jardin, Kraal Road in Schaapkraal. Entry fee is R50 and parking R20. Bring the family and come and sit around the fire to tunes by Mansoor Josephs and his band.