The COVID-19 Coronavirus has hit South Africa with a vengeance and by yesterday there were 13 confirmed cases, one of them in Cape Town.
So my nerves were ‘n bietjie klaar on Saturday when I had to go to a big cultural event attended by hundreds of people.
In the end, I just told myself, ai man, Allah sal decide wanner ek moet gaan, and I left the house with my family to get to the Bellville Velodrome.
Yes, we had gone to support the Cape Malay choirs who were in competition for the President’s Cup.
I arrived a bit late but still got to see some great performances.
I was nogal disappointed to see how badly attended the event was, but I was cheered up by the fact that the participating teams were still giving their very best vocal performances, much to delight of the small audience.
In the end, the Young Men singkoor was crowned the winners.
They won all their items, with only one second place for their Nederlandsliedjie.
The Young Men once again displayed a colourful tone in their combine.
The diction was clear and their intonation was on point.
I always liked the way they sing combine, it’s never dark and very well controlled.
The soloist gave a wonderful vocal display, with beautiful tone and diction.
My favourite item of the President’s Cup finals has to be the Young Men’s moppie, performed by Imraan Van Nelson, aka ImoV.
There was a new thing that they did towards the end of the moppie that I really loved.
I can only describe it as a romantic mood created musically and then a change-up tune to get it back to the moppie mood.
MOPPIE KINGS: Imraan van Nelson and the Young Men won Presidents’ Cup at the Bellville Velodrome. Picture: Focus Events Media
ImoV once again proved that he is one of the best moppie singers in the Malay Choir fraternity.
He showcases pure talent and confidence whenever he stands in front of the Young Men choir and his inter-singing is perfectly placed.
This is one of the reasons why he has been so successful on the Malay choir scene.
Still, I maintain the competition could be better attended and when asking one of the attendees why he thinks it’s not so popular, he quipped: “ Niemand wê* iets hier vanaand nie. As die top two vannie President’s Cup at least die Top 8 gemaak het, dan sou hier vanaand meer mense gewies het.”
With that said, well done to Young Men on winning the President’s Cup and for not letting the small audience put you down, because that is the quality of true champs - to be able to give your best even in poor circumstances.
Now we look forward to the Top 8 coming up on Saturday, which is also taking place at the Bellville Velodrome.
Die ding gaan behoorlik ruk, but please be cautious, en moetie te veel hande vattie, issie labarang nie.
Skut met julle hand sanitiser and vat heeldag abdas, but let us maintain a positive spirit while we go out and show our support of our culture.
This might be one of the last times we get to see a Top 8 competition for a while, depending on how things go with the Coronavirus, so stiek uit and come and enjoy the show.
Doors open at 12pm and the competition is set to start at 3pm for the latest.