Two vocal powerhouses from Cape Town are beaming with pride as their take of the popular gospel song Swing Low, Sweet Chariot plays on radio stations in New Zealand and the United Kingdom.
The song was originally composed by Wallace Willis in 1860, a freed American slave.
Opera singer Bianca Solomons, 17, and her vocal coach Maritza Truter, 31, both from Bellville, have received rave reviews for their cover of the song, which was released only four weeks ago.
The cover came after the pair were informed by their public relations manager David Gummers from the UK about controversy arising over the song to be used at a rugby event.
Gummers explained: “The reason it became the English anthem was because it was sung at Twickenham in 1987 when Martin Offiah, nicknamed ‘Chariots Offiah’, was hailed for his try-scoring ability.
“A couple of years later Chris Oti, another flying winger, scored a hat-trick and the crowd again burst into song. In rugby terms, the chariot is the ball being carried over the tryline.
“When the England Rugby Football Union started to discuss whether this anthem was a suitable song to be sung at rugby matches in 2020, Bianca and Maritza thought that such a song could be an educational tool to teach people about the past.”
The duo said the song brings hope and should be celebrated.
“It does not matter your background,” Bianca explains.
“ If you have ability, whether as a writer, an accountant or a singer, it should be celebrated.
“The lyrics are beautiful.”
Bianca Solomons and her coach have also been featured in newspapers and magazines in the United Kingdom.
African News Agency