Congratulations to the two joint Top 8-winning choirs Rangers and Young Caballeros.
Both of these teams showed class, character and commitment on and off the stage - and they are without a doubt worthy winners of the 2016 Top 8. They performed exceptionally well throughout the season and handled their joint win with the grace of true champions!
The Bellville Velodrome was a new venue for the CMCB and I expected a few hiccups. The event started much later than advertised and eventually ended at 2.30am on the Sunday.
This is unacceptable, on every level! However, for the first time in years, I am very heartened by the fact that the President of the Cape Malay Choir Board, Mr Shafiek April, publicly acknowledged the wrong in this and promised that those responsible would be brought to task.
I really hope that this comes about
The sound at the Top 8 was an utter mess, and I feel that choirs have every right to be disgruntled about it. Sitting in the front row, I thought that Young Caballeros and Rangers got the worst sound on the night!
As witnessed throughout the season, the choirs saved the night. I have to single out a few performers.
Ismail Fagodien of Shoprite Jonge Studente has my utmost respect for taking on the daunting task of being both the comic and Nederlandsliedjie lead singer for his choir. Daai wil gedoen wees!
Rafeeq Domingo from Ottomans once again showed why he is currently considered the best lead singer in the CMCB and certainly one of the best of our time. Tashreeq “Ricky” De Villiers from Rangers brilliantly led his choir to win the comic song and Nur Abrahams from Ottomans had me swooning at his senior solo.
Little Fuad Richards Jnr sang for Jonge Manhattans and brought the house down. He is a superstar!
Drama unfolded when five choirs had their senior solo item disqualified because they exceeded their allocated time. Many felt these disqualifications changed the outcome of the end result.
Unfortunately, the entire 2016 Cape Malay Choir Board season was marred by the shocking behaviour of some of the members of Boarding Boys on Saturday night.
They were not satisfied with their results and caused an ugly scene which included loud public shouting and swearing at the adjudicators and CMCB officials, throwing trophies and making threats. Dan wil mense van die klopse praat!
It is a pity that the ill-discipline of a few tarnished the good name of this renowned choir.
I am now quite amused by some of the choirs who recently feel hard done by.
For at one time, they were completely silent when other choirs and people were fighting these battles.
If you want to take a stand, you do it decently and for everyone, not only when you feel that your choir is affected.
What remains to be seen is how the CMCB will react and punish the ill-discipline of Boarding Boys.
For it is common knowledge that when the smaller teams in years past were guilty of similar transgressions, they were severely dealt with, and rightfully so.
The CMCB has to show that what is good for the goose is good for the gander.
One has to give credit where credit is due. The CMCB arranged the entire 2016 season under trying circumstances.
They were plagued with venue problems up until the last minute and pulled off the staging of the Top 8 at the Velodrome in only nine days. That is easier said than done, especially when promised monies and services do not materialise.
We are in an era of tradition versus competition. We face obstacles from many who do not care if this culture dies.
If the Malay Choir Boards are clever, they will welcome the input from those who want to assist them and see this sport grow and flourish for many years to come.