SA: The Kholwa Project to perform at World Champions of Performing Arts

This after the ten-member group won 64 gold medals at The South Africa Performing Arts Championships in Rustenburg in December.

“We can barely wait until flights are opened again to the US, where we will compete at The World Performing Arts Championships,” group member Derrick Mlambo was quoted as saying.

Another member and composer Bev Mac Gregor said: “What more than an eclectic mix of musical talent, to shake up and bring hope and the spirit of unity, to a nation that was about to buckle and almost break, at the onset of COVID-19. The rest is history, as the saying goes. As a composer for this choir, I feel proud and honored that we have won so many medals and have therefore been chosen to represent our country.”

The Kholwa Brothers won several awards before Mac Gregor joined to form The Kholwa Project. Besides Mac Gregor and Mlambo, other members include Simphiwe Ngcobo, Mlungisi Sishi, Ngcebo Gumede, Philani Ngcobo, Nthandoyenkosi Xulu, Lindinkosi Xulu, Nhlakanipho Nzimande and Mthobisi Ndwandwe.

Mac Gregor said she met the group online: “Through this magical meeting and then collaboration, The Kholwa Project was formed. The choir consists of myself and the popular multiple award winning nine-piece Isicathamiya Choir from KwaZulu-Natal – The Kholwa Brothers.”

The group’s genre was strictly isicathamiya, but Mac Gregor added her flare and flavour drawing influences from such big acts as Johnny Clegg, Ladysmith Black Mambazo and Mango Groove.