Joyful Harmonies were established on 23 January 2010. It is a township based choir, comprising of 52 choristers plus 3 administrators, including the choir master. The choristers include music students from the University of Cape Town, students from other institutions and fields, current learners at Fezeka and other high schools, workers and young members from the community in general. Founded in the community of Gugulethu originally, the choir has grown and presently incorporates choristers from Khayalitsha community as well.

Since it was established, Joyful Harmonies have been successful in winning two of South Africa’s biggest Choral competitions – the Old Mutual/National Choir Festival and the South African Post Office/SACMA competition. During 2010 the choir also excelled at Eisteddfods and at an Indigenous Choral Festival held in September that year. In January 2011, Cape Town opera audiences were delighted when Joyful Harmonies were featured as the chorus for the Richard Wagner Society (South Africa) production of “The Flying Dutchman”. It was staged at Artscape in Cape Town and conducted by Kamal Khan.

On 18 and 19 June 2011 the choir took great pride in taking part in a choral tribute to Nelson Mandela, the iconic former president of South Africa. They are looking forward to taking part in the Indigenous Choral Festival 2011, due to take place on 25 September, as well as the Old Mutual/National Choir Festival 2011.

The choir’s repertoire include a variety of South African indigenous folk music tunes, dancing, male a capella music in the style of spirituals, extracts from classical masses by the composers such as Mozart, opera choruses, small ensembles and music by South African composers. They love what they do and aim to get better and better at it. They choir also believes in educating people and shaping them up musically and otherwise. They love touching lives and making a difference through what they do, and find it very fulfilling. 

The choristers are:

SOPRANOS : Amanda Meke, Busisiwe Ngejane, Busisiwe Somi, Busisiwe Tshetu, Ndileka Foloti, Nobesuthu Foloti, Nolubabalo Buwa, Nomvuyo Manjati, Phumla Mhaga, Sinethemba Putase, Sisanda Twani, Sizeka Mayekiso, Zona Nodlayiya.

ALTOS : Akhona Mqalo, Fezeka Skuna, Makaziwe Msuthu, Nomaphelo Ganamfana, Nontuthuzelo Tafane, Nosiphiwo Gebe, Nosipho Mahota, Ntombelanga Ndlovu, Pheliswa Dana, Sihle Gwala,  Thandeka Vuso, Tiny Foloti, Viwe Magopheni.

TENORS : Bathandwa Gubesa, Khannyiso Kula, Khanyisa Sixwaru, Masixole Sakayi, Nkululeko Ndziba, Sibusiso Mxaka, Sivuyile Lisa, Vuyisa Jack, Vuyisa Matabeni, Xolani Madalane, Yanga Pearls, Zola Tom, Zukisa Nyaba.   

BASSES : Athenkosi Nxomani, Ayanda Mhaga, Kwanele Mgedezi, Lubabalo Welani, Lulama Lizwe, Lungile Hallam, Masixole Sigidi, Mbulelo Pikoli, Ntsikelelo Qinga, Phelo Nodlayiya, Sibulele Sibeko, Sicelo Piliso, Thamsanqa Sikampula, Thandolwethu Mnukwa, Unathi Yeki, Vuyolwethu Mnukwa, Zola Gqalisisa, Zukisa Nyandane

The management team of the choir consists of 3 main members and 3 additional members that the choir elects. The current commitee looks as follows:

Choir Master: Monde Mdingi
- Student of choir training, classical singing and music education at the University of Cape Town.
- email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) mobile +27 (0)78 009 8226.

Choir Manager: Shaun Maboee
- Student of law at the University of the Western Cape.
- email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) mobile +27 (0)72 699 0554.

Organiser:  Aphiwe Mpahleni
- Student of dance teaching and choreography at the University of Cape Town.
- email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) mobile +27 (0)73 495 1255.

Assistant Organiser: Ntsikelelo Qhinga
- Student of Drama.
- email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) mobile +27 (0)73 028 2728

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Published 22 August 2011