Sensational! It was a privilege to attend a concert by the Ndlovu Youth Choir in Cape Town, at Artscape, Saturday February 7, 2026. The season, Africa to the World was presented by Showtime SA. The entire season, of six shows was sold out: February 5-8 at Artscape. The choir will be on stage in Johannesburg in July/August 2026.
The Cape season marks the start of the choir’s world tour, enthused Ralf Schmitt who is artistic director. He is also conductor, musician and singer. He is a host – mashing up umpire and emcee. His boundless energy riffs off the incredible energy of the choir, which was birthed in Limpopo in January 2009 by Schmitt and Dr Hugo Tempelman as a component of the Ndlovu community childcare programme. From humble beginnings, the choir has become a hit in South Africa and abroad. It was the first choir to reach the finals of America’s got Talent.
They take “eclectic” in terms of repertoire – to another level – South African songbook, American country music, pop, opera. Wow. In addition to voice artistry, they dance. Stunningly staged. Costumes, lighting. Uplifting, inspirational. As they say in the show, music unites us. It is beyond language. Talking of that, they performed Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody – in Zulu – which got the audience singing along in a melange of languages.
Multiple rapturous standing ovations throughout the show. It was like a rock concert. Their energy and enthusiasm is incredible. Throughout, there is the invitation for the audience to participate, humming along, clapping to the beat, dancing along. Arrangements are innovative, stagecraft and choreography is dazzling. The choir is emblematic of the tremendous talent of the youth of South Africa and this show is a celebration of our nation. As Schmitt remarked, what they do is about “connection”. It goes beyond voice and performance and a concert. It is connection through music. It is an immersive experience.
✳ Ndlovu Youth Choir in Cape Town, at Artscape, Saturday February 7, 2026. Pic: Robyn Cohen/TheCapeRobyn.
