Ndlovu Youth Choir inspires the nation

The Ndlovu Youth Choir captured hearts across the globe during its recent performance on America’s Got Talent.

The Ndlovu Youth Choir recently performed and excelled on one of the world’s biggest stages - America’s Got Talent - in front of celebrity judges, thousands of audience members and millions of television viewers.

The choir blew everyone away with its incredible performance of Vicky Sampson’s My African Dream, and South Africans are bursting with pride. 

Formed in 2009 under the Ndlovu Care Group, a Limpopo-based non-profit organisation, the choir is made up of teenagers from poor households. It was started as an after-school activity, where youth could escape their difficult home life with the power of music.

“We are trying to assist children who do not have a voice, face or any representation. We thought that by forming a choir, they will represent themselves with their beautiful voices and talent. The fact that you are born into poverty doesn’t mean that you are poverty. You can grow out of that poverty if excellence is offered to you,” said Dr Hugo Tempelman, the CEO of Ndlovu Care Group.

The choir received a standing ovation after its audition on America’s Got Talent, and received a solid ‘yes’ from all four judges – Simon Cowell, Howie Mandell, Gabrielle Union and Julianne Hough. Since then, the performance has been viewed over 4.5 million times on YouTube.

Choir member Sandile Majola says the choir has given his life purpose. “Before I got involved in the choir, I had no direction. I didn’t know who I was or what I was doing. I had no goal. It changed me, it made me a better person, and through music I learnt a lot. Through music there are now people looking up to me,” he said.

Nathi Mthethwa, the Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, congratulated the choir on its incredible achievement. “The group blew the audience and judges away. It showcased the beauty and diverse nature of South Africa and Africa as a continent. To you, young ones, continue to inspire and provoke thought amongst all and fly the South African flag high as you journey on into the next level,” Minister Mthethwa said

The Ndlovu Youth Choir captured hearts across the globe during its recent performance on America’s Got Talent.

The Ndlovu Youth Choir recently performed and excelled on one of the world’s biggest stages - America’s Got Talent - in front of celebrity judges, thousands of audience members and millions of television viewers.

The choir blew everyone away with its incredible performance of Vicky Sampson’s My African Dream, and South Africans are bursting with pride. 

Formed in 2009 under the Ndlovu Care Group, a Limpopo-based non-profit organisation, the choir is made up of teenagers from poor households. It was started as an after-school activity, where youth could escape their difficult home life with the power of music.

“We are trying to assist children who do not have a voice, face or any representation. We thought that by forming a choir, they will represent themselves with their beautiful voices and talent. The fact that you are born into poverty doesn’t mean that you are poverty. You can grow out of that poverty if excellence is offered to you,” said Dr Hugo Tempelman, the CEO of Ndlovu Care Group.

The choir received a standing ovation after its audition on America’s Got Talent, and received a solid ‘yes’ from all four judges – Simon Cowell, Howie Mandell, Gabrielle Union and Julianne Hough. Since then, the performance has been viewed over 4.5 million times on YouTube.

Choir member Sandile Majola says the choir has given his life purpose. “Before I got involved in the choir, I had no direction. I didn’t know who I was or what I was doing. I had no goal. It changed me, it made me a better person, and through music I learnt a lot. Through music there are now people looking up to me,” he said.

Nathi Mthethwa, the Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, congratulated the choir on its incredible achievement. “The group blew the audience and judges away. It showcased the beauty and diverse nature of South Africa and Africa as a continent. To you, young ones, continue to inspire and provoke thought amongst all and fly the South African flag high as you journey on into the next level,” Minister Mthethwa said.