On Sunday evening founder and conductor, Huibrie Verster, announced via video that she had decided to close the curtain on the choir’s existence. Since then there has been an outpouring of support and gratitude directed at Verster. Gauteng-based Naledi award nominated actor, singer and former Bloemfontein Children’s Choir head boy, Lebohang Toko, tells OFM News he never thought the choir would come to an end. He shares some of his fondest memories and lessons learned during his time in the choir.

“Memories, lots of memories. But most importantly, love. That is what you taught us, discipline and love”. Toko says he is the man that he is today because of Verster and his time in the choir. “Thank you Juffrou Huibrie, may your new journey be as beautiful as the old one. May you soar and spread your wings even further than you ever had”.

Belgian Johnny Put, who was one of the choir’s main collaborators and supporters, recounted his journey with the choir, on Facebook, revealing that he and his wife Chantal were introduced to the choir via Bloemfontein businessman, and choir patron Boet Troskie in 1996. Put says he is struggling to reconcile Verster’s decision to cease the choir’s existence because of their success, and hopes that she will reconsider the decision and simply appoint someone to succeed her in leading the choir.

American and former member of the Texas Girls Choir Aubrey Reinhardt sympathised with the former and current members of the choir. The Texas Girl Choir performed alongside the now disbanded Children’s Choir in the Free State capital in 2007. Reinhardt says “my heart breaks for you all during this time. I had the fortunate opportunity to visit with the Bloemfontein Children’s Choir when on tour with the Texas Girls’ Choir in 2007. The whole choir treated us like family. We made so many memories and created so many friendships during our visit. I’ve never forgotten the love and kindness your group showed ours”.

The choir’s last performance was at the Jerusalem Prayer Breakfast at Divine Restoration Church in Bloemfontein in mid-March. 

As has already been reported, internationals from Israel, the United States of America (USA), and France - the majority of whom came to the country to attend the church meet - later tested positive for COVID-19 following the declaration of a state of emergency by President Cyril Ramaphosa, becoming the first set of positive cases in the province. Verster confirmed to Bloemfontein Courant that while they were present at the venue, they did not have any contact with guests present.

OFM News