This klopse season is like no other and I am glad that one day I will be able to say to my children I was there for this transition, when the Kaapse Klopse competition went to the next level.
After more than 100 years of taking mense from the street - guys and girls who could not even read sheet music - and teaching them how to sing like international choirs, I think we have finally arrived at the point where our forefathers must have dreamed for us to be.
On Saturday at the Athlone Stadium, the competing choirs from Section 1 once again came out guns blazing, delivering performances to the highest standards in the Afrikaans Combine and English Moppie.
It would be wrong for me to single out certain groups, as all the teams did something magnificent on the day.
It started with the Juvie Boy Entertainers who performed with the wind how- ling in their microphones, but nonetheless delivering a moving rendition of My Moeder, which was arranged by the late Abduraghmaan Davids and coached by Ameer Williams.
The song moved many hearts and the harmonies and delivery was stellar; the control of this choir deserves much praise.
In the comic category, Ghakeem Roman did an amazing job for the Juvies with lots of comical movement and entering on a stretcher to do the “Juvie dance”.
They were then followed by the Cape Town Hawkers who once again proved that they are definitely a force to be reckoned with.
EXTREME TALENT: Performer Imo V in action
This team brought the house down with their moppie, sung by the very talented Imo V.
This lead singer possesses a unique tone because not only does his voice sound clear and sweet, but it also has a comical tone, which is perfect for the moppie.
The G-Stars then made their way onto the stage and, boy oh boy, what a surprise they were!
SPOT CEMENTED: Members of G-Stars Minstrels perform the Afrikaans Moppie
The choir is coached by Faiz Abrahams.
Last week they sang their English Combine with such a light tone, but this week they showed their talents with quite a dark combine, which they sang with perfect conviction.
And with this performance, they cemented their place in the Champions League.
Just when I thought I could quickly go and get a boerewors roll, the Kenfac Entertainers came up, and because I know they are the defending champions of the Kaapse Klopse Karnival Assosiasie (KKKA) board, I put my boerie order on hold and stayed to watch them. It’s a choice I do not regret. Their combine was the kind of singing that makes you sit up and listen attentively. The softs and louds were mesmerising and the audience was captured.
The Kenfac moppie was also very well done, with their voorsinger doing a sterling job.
As I was finally about to get my food, one of my favourite team’s anthems came over the speakers, so I stopped to do the Baruch booty shake.
I could not help myself, and as much as I’m not a fan of akkeltjies I think it’s fine to do this one as Baruch started this thing of jolling as they come into the stadium that it’s kind of their signature now.
For me, the little guy in front of the team has become the Face of Kaapse Klopse 2018.
The Baruch choir followed up their first performance of Jerusalem with another high-calibre one, exhibiting power and control in their combine chorus, which sent the spectators into a frenzy and shutting the stadium down in style.
CROWD WENT BOS: Baruch Entertainers
With that said, good luck to Section 2 this coming weekend.
Let’s keep the standard high and continue to build this carnival past international standards.