The Cape Malay Choir Board is ready to take on the international stage and show what our beautiful culture is all about.
The CMCB has been invited by the Association of Kazakhstan Choir Conductors to participate in their international festival, “Astana - The Voice of Peace”, one of the largest cultural festivals in the world.
The festival will be held within the framework of the sixth Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, initiated by the head of state of Kazakhstan.
They intend to bring together 500 young choral singers from 28 countries across five continents, all from different cultures and religions.
The president of the CMCB, Shafiek April, says he was drawn to this venture as it aims to promote a culture of peace, tolerance, inter-ethnic and inter-faith harmony, and create a dialogue between nations and civilisations.
PRESIDENT: Shafiek April, of Cape Malay Choir Board. Photo: SUPPLIED
He says the CMCB was invited because of its standard of excellence, and promoting knowledge of Islamic history in South Africa.
The Kazakhstan government stated in an open letter to the CMCB that they believe the uniqueness of a Cape Malay Choir will be greatly appreciated, by not only the people of Kazakhstan, but the whole region.
April says the only “bad” thing about this invitation is that not everyone can go!
Only 10 members - five young and five senior, and including the conductor - have been invited.
The president has selected five upcoming stars in the Malay choir fraternity to make the trip, along with senior members.
These youngsters were not only chosen for their talent but also because of their discipline and love for our culture, says Ishmail Ely, the secretary of the Cape Malay Choir Board.
The young men who will be making the journey to Kazakhstan’s choir festival are Moegamad Mujaahid Isaacs from Boarding Boys, Shuaib Morris from Young Men, Nisaat Khan from Zinnias, Naiem Tifloen and Mohammed Aarif Bawarie, both from Studente.
The senior members are CMCB executives Ishmail Ely, Rudtwaan Kamish and Yaasien Floris, as well as Abduraghmaan Morris (Young Men’s assistant conductor) and conductor Ahmed Ismail.
I believe this 10-man squad, with its mix of experience and young raw talent, will do justice and tell our story to the best of their ability.
It is always great to see such opportunities arising.
It means the sport of Malay choirs can give youngsters the chance to travel and see the world, and that there is potential to achieve greatness.
I remember how I felt when I performed in Carnegie Hall in New York with the Young Cape Malay Stars.
I stood there as the people gave us a standing ovation, thinking, wow, look how they appreciate our music, our heritage, our culture and look what I have achieved because of a love for ghoemaliedjies and moppies.
I hope the same happens for these representatives because I’ve always believed we only need one chance to show the world what we are about, and things can change forever for Cape Malay music.
During this time in Astana, the team will also be performing at a concert by South African artists which is hosted by the government of Kazakhstan to celebrate Nelson Mandela’s centenary birthday.
I don’t believe that the youngsters, and perhaps even some of the senior members, have yet fully grasped the magnitude of this opportunity, but I’m sure it will hit them over there.
The showcase takes place from 5-12 October, and it is an all-expenses paid trip by the government of Kazakhstan, who is said to be extremely excited to have the Cape Malay Choir Board on the bill.
I wish you guys all the best.
Give them a lekke taste of our beautiful culture, make them swoon with a Nederlands lied, make them laugh for our moppie and let them jol to the rhythm of our ghoema.
And when you are done, we will all patiently wait for that letter, saying: “Dear Cape Malay Choir Boardwe want more.”