The Ottomans singkoor has officially written their name into the Cape Malay Choir history books as the first team to win the inaugural Heritage Cup.
The competition took place at the Artscape Theatre last week and it was the first time a CMCB competition took place in a professional setting like this theatre.
The competition took place over two days and on Friday night, the Young Men singkoor took the lead with 25 points, taking first prize in the Comic Song and Nederlandslied and second prize in the Combine category.
The Ottomans, however, came out strong with a phenomenal performance on Saturday night, scooping all the first prizes.
In the end, they were crowned the kings of Artscape and took home the Kader Miller trophy.
We often speak about how we must take our culture to the next level and I think this competition is a huge step up in that right direction.
The lighting and sound lifted the event to new levels and choirs were actually placed on rostrums, which meant the back row was higher than the front row, so nobody could hide.
To me it is always great to see our culture moving forward, we understand the historical value of the Good Hope Centre and City Hall but there is nothing wrong in our hard work being heard in venues with better acoustics and so forth.
So well done to the Cape Malay Choir Board on taking this competition to this platform.
Boeta Ishmail Ely says the event was a huge success although they were not sold out.
The feedback from the public was good and mense loved the venue and the sound.
The theatre setting also motivated people to dress up, because it felt like a real night out on the town.
He says what he admired was the dedication shown by the Artscape staff especially with regards to lighting and how they contributed to enhancing each song.
Mr Ely says the board is looking at hosting all their sections at Artscape now.
The choirs are very happy with the venue and they too feel like this has lifted them to new heights.
He says the CMCB wishes to host the Heritage Cup annually, and to coincide with Heritage month in September.
With regards to the administration to host this event, he says it took many meetings with the Artscape in order to get the competition to run smoothly.
The Cape Malay Choir Board also had a new MC for this event, the inimitable Solly Philander, who filled in the gaps in between performances with some lekker comedy and he was well received by the audience.
Everybody played along, even Computicket, who is used to Kaapse tyd by now and who extended ticket sales for an extra two hours.
This competition was such a success, the Malay choirs have already been asked to come back pending certain formalities.
A letter to host all future competitions at the Artscape is being drafted as you read this, so we can look forward to being in a good space come next year if all goes well.
CMCB president Shafiek April says this would be a dream come true for him.
But then we have to show our support, mense.
Entry for the Heritage Cup was R90, and this could be one of the reasons why it was not so well attended.
Because when it comes to our culture, we tend to make the mistake that it should be free.
If not free, then it should be so cheap that the people who run the event should not make any profit.
This mentality is going to have to stop if we want to see our culture grow.
We need to put our money where our mouths are, haal uit en wys and pay our way.
People don’t mind paying R500 to to see international acts but when it comes to our local talent, dan bly ons complain.
Congratulations to the Ottomans and the Cape Malay Choir Board on this massive achievement.
Just when we thought the game was becoming predictable and monotonous you have added a new dynamic to our culture, our sport, our heritage. Slamat.