Singing all the way to top spot

[caption id="attachment_34165" align="alignright" width="405"] ANGELIC VOICES: The award winning Imbasa Primary School Mixed Double Quartet Choir. In front, from left to right are Bakhona Makalima 11, Luphepo Mbasa 11 and Yonela Hina 12. At the back, from left to right are Lisakhanya Dlamini 12,Sibongile Puwe 13,Nyameka Vara (conductor), Olwethu Nogantshi 13, Nomaxabiso Makana 11 and Ntulikazi Cacela 12. Picture: Mike Holmes[/caption]

THEIR passion for choral music, hard work and lots of prayer have secured Motherwell's Imbasa Primary School a spot in a national schools choir competition after they beat their provincial counterparts last month. Pupils are gearing up to go to Durban next month to represent the province in the South African Schools Choral Eisteddfod (SASCE), where they will compete with choirs from around the country.

This after their mixed double quartet – consisting of four boys and four girls – beat seven other schools in the Eastern Cape at the provincial round held at Mthatha's Walter Sisulu University campus three weeks ago.

Excited conductor Nyameka Vara said the pupils' secrets to success were hard work, dedication and "lots and lots of prayer".

"We practise even on weekends and the pupils are very passionate about their music. They are always eager when it comes to music and their parents are very supportive as they lend us their kids freely any time."

The school is no stranger to top choral accolades, having been crowned national double quartet champions in 2011 and winning the sextet category at the schools' eisteddfod.

Their multiple wins has boosted pupils' morale, encouraging more to join the school's choir because of the excursions it takes pupils on, Vara said.

"We don't struggle finding pupils for the choir because this is pupils' pride. Everyone is eager to be part of it." -  Zandile Mbabela