This year’s annual KZN Is’Cathamiya Festival, held in the Playhouse Opera Theatre on November 6, drew overwhelming support from all sectors. Presented by NBS and the Playhouse Company, in association with the South African Traditional Music Association (SATMA) and Ukhozifm, the all-night festival featured 100 choirs from all over South Africa and Swaziland who competed in the competition section.

Winners received prize money and trophies from NBS and the Playhouse Company worth R40 000 as well as a live goat for Green Berets, a group of physically-challenged singers from Emalandeni in Umlazi, who won the Most Impressive Choir section. The Top 20 section was won by Xolo Home Boys, while Relation Brothers won Section 1 and Lalelani Home Boys took first prize in the open section. Dudu Bhengu was voted best dressed lady in contemporary cress, with Nonhlanhla Makhathini taking home first prize in the best dressed lady in traditional dress section for her colourful outfit. The Best Dressed gentleman was Thulani Mbatha.