Strelitzia Youth Development are the official champions of the Cape Malay Choir Board competition.
Strellies walked away on Saturday with a massive 54 points and the coveted Silver Fez. Many have predicted this win after Strelitzia swept the choral segment of the competition with a massive 34 points, taking home all the first prizes.
This is due to the fact that Strelitzia is one of the top teams with regards to marching or, as the spectators always say, ‘die Strellies kan march’.
The most admirable thing about this klas team is the way in which they carry themselves in all aspects of this beautiful culture.
Unlike many other grootpraters and social media judges, the Strellies keep a low profile on Facebook.
They are always humble, and Moenieb Domingo, their chairman, said to me in the past: “ Ons post nooit negative goed nie en ons accept enige prys wat die judges vir ons gee because in the end, the judges’ decision is final.”
This was once again the case after Saturday’s win, with more people congratulating them on social media platforms than the team members celebrating.
So, well done to Strelitzia, julle mag maar die silver koefiyah dra met pride, met julle first prize for best dress.
Although many people predicted the Strellies would win, on the day of the competition it was not easy at all, with Shoprite Jonge Studente presenting some stiff competition.
The Studente won the first prize Grand March Pass and a second prize Exhibition.
WINNERS: With the coveted Fez trophy
This was enough to catapult them into second place, only two points behind the eventual winners.
This once again proves that hard work pays off and what you put in is what you will get out. Boeta Ahmad Ishmail, the chairman of SJS, said: “ Oppie dag was die manne baie goed en ek is proud van hulle. Ons het na die marching gekom met net 26 punte. Wie sou kon dink ons sal tweede kom? En die public het vir ons reward met standing ovations. En daai is wat important is vir ons, dat onse supporters happy is.”
The Exhibition trophy and the title of Exhibition Kings once again went to the Young Caballeros. Slamat, ouens.
The surprise package of the season came in the form of Legends who walked away with a joint fourth place with Boarding Boys.
The Legends Singkoor took home the first prize trophy for Best Board, which was presented to the judges by Masturahah Adams.
Mrs Adams said: “In the end we didn’t do too badly. Fourth place for our first year is quite an achievement and we will build from this and come back stronger next year.”
Well done to Legends; it is always good to see new teams coming through the ranks and playing the game hard.
It’s also good to see them get prizes because this negates the notion that only the big name teams word gesien.
It should also teach the teams that an item like Best Board is as important as winning a first prize for Nederlands or Moppie.
Strelitzia is proof that the only way to win the koefiyah is by accumulating points from your section to the marching.
With that said, let us move forward and start building for the season ahead.
One huge focus should be eliminating the negativity from Facebook and other social media platforms, it is harmful and dangerous and has a negative impact on what is in essence a positive culture.
My advice? As jy nie iets goed het om te sê nie, dan hou ma’ lieweste jou mond.
Remember in the end we all want to keep the culture alive for our children as our forefathers have done for us.
Well done to the Cape Malay Choir Board on running a successful season under the guidance of the president, Shafiek April.
May this body continue to grow and provide our community with the cultural spectacle it deserves.