The tour will take the choir to Gaborone, Lusaka, Harare, Bulawayo, and Victoria Falls. Six performances are planned across the region from Saturday (26/9) to Monday, 5 October. 

The tour will see the choir perform in five cities, showcasing a repertoire that brings together Western classical, contemporary, and indigenous South African music.

It will also give the boys an opportunity to engage with different cultures and communities across the region, while strengthening the choir’s ties with neighbouring countries. The theme of the tour is Hope, Heritage, Harmony.

The Drakies Southern African Tour 2026 provides an important opportunity for cultural and musical exchange.

“We want our boys to understand that excellence in choral music is not confined to one musical tradition, but can be found across cultures, languages, and communities,” said Drakensberg Boys Choir school executive head Hendrik Bekker.

“We train the boys to use their talent for singing, not only to entertain people, but also to bring hope and to celebrate the rich musical heritage that we have in the country.

“We share a lot across the Southern African countries in terms of music and choral traditions, and these are all rooted in community, storytelling and rhythm. 

“The repertoire is selected to really showcase the breadth of the choir’s musical ability. The programme will include classical and contemporary works, as well as an indigenous South African programme.

“We really hope that the audience will, first of all, see and admire the variety that the boys can perform, but they’ll also share with us in the celebration of our shared heritage. At every concert that we do, we will have auditions, so any boy in the right age group, between nine and twelve years old, will have an opportunity to do their audition.”

The tour will also serve as an educational experience for the boys, exposing them to different cultures, communities, and young people who share an interest in music. 

The choir will visit the Peterhouse Group of Schools and Gosho Park in Zimbabwe, while also travelling through areas including Matobo Hills and Victoria Falls.

“The audience can really expect to just sit back and enjoy world-class choral music, Western music, but also the energetic and vibrant African rhythms,” said Bekker.

OFM News/Zenande Mpame cvs

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