Ndlovu Youth Choir sets Joburg shows ahead of Edinburgh debut

The choir, which began its 2026 South African tour with a sold-out run in Cape Town in February, is scheduled to perform six shows in Johannesburg between 30 July and 2 August. The concerts are being promoted by Showtime Management.

Performances will take place on 30 and 31 July, with two shows each scheduled for 1 and 2 August.

According to organisers, audiences can expect a repertoire that reflects a wide range of South African musical traditions and international influences. The programme includes songs such as Mbube (The Lion Sleeps Tonight) and Homeless, alongside South African genres including Ghoema music, gospel and amapiano. The setlist also features music associated with artists such as Miriam Makeba, Johnny Clegg and Mango Groove.

The choir’s rendition of Bohemian Rhapsody has previously received endorsement from Roger Taylor of the British rock band Queen.

Following the Johannesburg performances, the choir will travel to Scotland for its first appearance at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. The group will stage a one-hour production titled A Celebration of Africa at Assembly Hall from 6 to 30 August.

Ndlovu Youth Choir founder and conductor Ralf Schmitt said the group was looking forward to performing for Johannesburg audiences before heading to Edinburgh.

“We're so looking forward to bringing our shows first to Johannesburg and our fantastic audience there who have also supported us so generously, and then to the Edinburgh Fringe for the first time, mixing it up with thousands of other artists and becoming part of such a rich tradition there,” Schmitt said.

The choir first gained international attention in 2019 after reaching the final of the television talent competition America's Got Talent. During the competition, judge Simon Cowell praised the group's performance, saying: “If I could bottle your energy, I’d drink it every day.”

Showtime Management’s Tony Feldman said the Johannesburg performances would provide local audiences with another opportunity to see the choir before its appearance in Scotland.

“The Ndlovu Youth Choir continues to be such a phenomenal ambassador for South African music, arts and professionalism. We’re so glad to bring them back to Johannesburg and crowds who love them so much before they head to Scotland,” Feldman said.

The choir’s performances are expected to feature a combination of live vocals, choreography and a backing band, with organisers describing the productions as celebrations of African music and culture.