COMING UP ROSES

THE Cape Malay Choir board’s choral season has ended, with choirs dishing up a top-class competition that deservedly garnered praise from everywhere. 

However, there are many other choirs in our communities that play a vital role in truly uplifting our youth. Rosebuds Community Youth Development, is one of those choirs. 

They have their roots in the Covid pandemic of 2020, sprouting from a soup kitchen in Tafelsig, Mitchells Plain that was established to feed an impoverished community plagued by drugs and gangsterism. 

The original name, Rosebuds Sing Koor (SK), goes back many years, established in the 1950s in District Six.

Club chairman Toufa Abrahams spent his early childhood affiliated to Rosebuds SK and always dreamed of reviving the Rosebuds name. 

That dream was realised when Rosebuds Community Youth Development was established in 2020. 

With President Allie Fortune, Vice President Karriem Adams Block, Vice Chairman Shafiek Adams Block, as Toufa’s wife Tasmeen as secretary, they formed their dream team.

I remember seeing Rosebuds when they did their first oujaarsaand parade. 

“Hulle was uitgevat in true old-school style.” A mix of many young and old dressed in old school cardigans and white pants with Panama hats. 

Colour-coded mufflers (scarves) with white “stokkies” to beat the tar like back in the day! For many of our older onlookers they were the pick of the night. 

Rosebuds subsequently joined the Keep The Dream Malay Choir Board (KTD) and for the past four years have performed with distinction, despite limited resources and funding, winning the Hadjie Bucks trophy with highest points in 2024.

Toufa said: “We are a community organisation and almal gee iets! Ons maak ‘n plan! 

“Our uniforms are made in such a way that it is affordable and that everyone can be a part of the team. Nothing fancy, just simple and smart.”

Rosebuds will be participating in section 1 of KTD’s competition which takes place on 6-7 December 2025 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre. 

Keep The Dream’s competition sections take place at the CTICC, as follows:

Section 1: Saturday 6 December

Rosebuds YD ,Young Hearts, West London Dukes, Young West Ministers, Proteas

Section 2: Sunday 7 December

Locals SK, Starlites, Tjommies, Young Zinnias, Santos MVC, Young Broadways

Tickets are available from the choirs.