Shouts of delight and jubilation from a packed auditorium greeted the announcement on April 22 that the Young Singers of Namibia had received first prize in the Vocal Ensemble category of the First Unisa Southern Africa Voice Competition. The Final Round programme was held at UNISA in Pretoria/Tshwane.

The Young Singers of Namibia scooped the Vodacom-sponsored top award of R40,000. The eight-member ensemble impressed judges and audience alike with their focused and compelling performances, which ranged from spirituals to traditional works in Nama and Xhosa

The competition was stiff for the second and third place as both contenders put in excellent performances. In second place, winning R30,000 was the 4 Bourbon Vocal Ensemble of South Africa. Another eight-member group, they were notable for their highly competent handling of complicated works performed a cappella.

The South African group, G-String Ensemble, received third prize of R20,000 and clearly won the audience’s hearts with their easygoing and laidback style in a presentation which included works by Queen, Andrew Lloyd Webber, the Bee Gee’s, Lennon and McCartney and Clouseau.

The fourth prize worth R15,000 was awarded to the MC Art Academy Vocal Ensemble of South Africa, followed by the Palisa Vocal Ensemble of Zambia in fifth position winning an amount of R10,000.

The competition is sponsored by Vodacom and featured 12 groups of singers from South Africa and as far afield as Zambia and Namibia.

Mthobi Tyamzashe, Chief Communications Officer, Vodacom Group, says: “We hope that this competition will be a precursor to many further Southern Africa events in which the full extent of Africa’s musical talent will be showcased.”

More information from Ruth Coggin of Quo Vadis Communications on 011 487 0026 or 082-903-5819.