By Phenyo Selinda
Bloemfontein — The Free State province has proudly celebrated the outstanding achievements of its schools’ choirs at the 2024 ABC Motsepe South African Schools Choral Eisteddfod (SASCE) National Championships. Held from 07-10 August 2024 at the Rhema Bible Church in Randburg, Gauteng, this prestigious event saw about 800 learners from 17 schools in the Free State participating in a musical showcase that highlighted the province’s rich talent.
Free State MEC for Education, Dr Mamiki Maboya, expressed her heartfelt congratulations to all the choirs, conductors, and officials who represented the province with distinction. “Our appreciation goes to the Free State Team for their dedication and commitment, and I also give our heartfelt congratulations to our amazing choirs for showcasing their inherent talents on the national stage,” MEC Maboya said. “This is indeed an outstanding performance, and I implore them to continue to fly the Free State flag high.”
The South African Schools Choral Eisteddfod (SASCE) is recognised as one of the most critical school enrichment programmes in the country, promoting unity in diversity, national identity, reconciliation, and social cohesion among learners. Free State Department of Education Spokesperson, Howard Ndaba, highlighted the importance of this competition, stating that it plays a significant role in the holistic development of young learners, preparing them for constructive lives that contribute positively to their communities and the country.
“The school choral and traditional music competition advances the holistic development of the young learners, preparing them for constructive lives that are fulfilling to themselves, their communities, and their country,” Ndaba said. He further emphasised that SASCE serves as a platform for delivering essential messages to the youth on pressing issues such as human trafficking, crime, substance abuse, teenage pregnancy, and other social challenges.
During the four-day championship, learners competed in various categories, including the Solo section, small ensemble, mixed choir categories, gender pieces, and folklore. Among the Free State’s many successes, Nampo Secondary School stood out by securing 3rd place in the Mixed Double Quartet and 2nd place in the SATB Chamber Choir category. Nthabiseng Lebuso from Commtech Secondary School also earned accolades, achieving 3rd place in the Soprano/Alto Solo category.
MEC Maboya acknowledged the significance of these achievements, noting that they reflect not only the talent but also the hard work and dedication of the learners and their mentors. “Congratulations to Nampo Secondary School for obtaining 3rd position in Mixed Double Quartet and position 2 in SATB Chamber Choir. They represented the province well. Congratulations also go to Nthabiseng Lebuso from Commtech Secondary School for obtaining 3rd position in Soprano/Alto Solo,” she said.
The 2024 SASCE National Championships have once again demonstrated the power of music in fostering unity, discipline, and excellence among South African youth. As the choirs return to their respective schools, they carry with them not only the pride of their accomplishments but also the responsibility to continue inspiring others through their music.
The Free State’s success at this year’s championships is a testament to the province’s commitment to nurturing young talent and using music as a tool for social change and national development. As MEC Maboya rightly put it, “This program is the lever for delivering key messages to young people on current challenges and threats facing our nation like human trafficking, crime, drugs, alcohol abuse, teenage pregnancy, and other social ills in our midst.”
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