09 Jul 2013

Gospel music fans thronged Palapye international conference centre over the weekend to witness live performances by Palapye St Anthony church choir and South Africa’s Soweto gospel choir.

Had it been a competition, St Anthony’s choir could have given the award winning Soweto choir a run for their money. Despite the pressure exerted by Soweto gospel choir, St Anthony choir did not disappoint, they defied all the odds to prove that they too were a force to reckon with.

Not only were they singing whole-heartedly, they even made some unique dance moves, totally unique in the choral music industry. Even though they performed in such activity for the first time, the choir did not rope in people from other church branches to help them face Soweto gospel choir.

Soweto gospel choir company manager, Jimmy Mulovhedzi was impressed with the talent that was displayed by the church choir. "There is so much talent here, I saw a lot of potential and they should keep it up," he said.

One thing that caught his attention was that the choir consisted of mainly the youth, adding that, "it will be nice for a local choir to take an international stage." Mulovhedzi said the two choirs would continue to have a strong bond.

St Anthony’s church choir also launched its first album entitled Remembrance: Peace and Harmony, in which members celebrate the coming of the late Pope John Paul II to Botswana in 1988.

Because there were no recorded audio tapes on the event, the choir took the initiative to revive the songs that were sung during that mass. "In the album we sing the same songs only in different voices," said the choir spokesperson, Matshidiso Kimwaga.

Matshidiso said the choir intended to follow in the footsteps of Soweto gospel choir, by making its impact on Palapye community. Whilst Soweto gospel choir donated to charity organisations such as Nkosi Haven, St Anthony’s church choir also intended to follow in the same direction.

"As a choir we have to give hope to the nation and our intention is plough back to the community." ENDS