CHOIRS MAAK DIE HALL VOL

THE Cape Town City Hall was gepak over the last two weeks, as fans were treated to a singing fest by the 12 competing choirs of the Cape Malay Choir Board (CMCB). 

The highlight, for me, was the growing size of the choirs, and the vrag youngsters on stage and in the audience. 

All three sections were well balanced and extremely close, as Rangers SC edged out defending champions, Ottoman SC, by two points to win Section 1 with 30 points. Rangers won the lied, and Ottomans won the combine. 

A feisty Angeliere finished third. Many knowledgeable patrons thought they deserved a better prize for their Nederlandse lied. Suburban LG Boys also stood their ground in what was a tough section. 

Section 2 was very close with Primrose MVC and Marines SC tying for top honours with 30 points each. 

The Primrose  lied, Loewiesa, brought the house down with “voorsinger”, Shakier Engelbrecht, delivering (in my opinion) the performance of the season thus far! Him being only 19 years old and  leading a “ gevaarlike pak”  on stage, for the first time in his life,  is what really stood out for people.

Parkdales also had some good performances with another first-time lied voorsinger, Uthmaan Matthews, performing very well. Villagers finished fourth in Section  2.

Section 3 saw a well-prepared and polished Jonge Studente getting 32 points, the highest for the season. As promised by their veteran leader, Ahmed Ismail, Jonge Studente swept the stage and the prizes! They definitely seemed like the Studente of old! 

Boarding Boys SC finished second with 26 points and a comic song which was a crowd favourite. A strong, resurgent Young Men SC finished third and Jonge Manhattans finished in fourth position.

CMCB President, Faldie Trout was full of praise for the choirs, saying: “The incredibly high quality of choral singing this season, is  testament to the long hours, sacrifices and hard work put in by our choir leaders, coaches, musicians, members and supporters… It’s onward and upward from here.” 

Meanwhile, the Presidents Cup will take place at the Artscape at 4.30pm on Saturday with the performing positions as follows; Villagers SC, Angeliere SK, LG Boys, Parkdales SC, Jonge Manhattans and Young Men SC. 

The Top 6 will take place at the same venue and time on Sunday with the following performing positions: Boarding Boys SC, Jonge Studente, Primrose MVC, Marines MC, Rangers SC and Ottomans SC.