New conductor for Hout Bay choir

Lunathi Ncamani has been appointed as the new conductor of the Hout Bay Ingoma Choir.

The choir’s former conductor, Zamile Gantana, died from Covid in 2020 (“Final farewell for choir conductor,” Sentinel News, July 24, 2020), and his deputy, Samukelo Mhlongo, took over the role.

“Being part of Hout Bay Ingoma Choir came at a time where choral music was in a hiatus due to the pandemic. It came at a time where I was in need of an artistic outlet, particularly, choral music,” said Mr Ncamani. “Ingoma choir thus became a saviour and reaffirmed my love for choral music as well as my passion for giving back to communities such as Imizamo Yethu.”

Mr Ncamani is originally from East London and graduated with a Bachelors in Music from Stellenbosch University, where he lectures in African choral music.

Tanya Blacher, who helped to start the choir, said of Mr Ncamani: “He has a highly impressive choral resume that includes leading choirs and workshops in South Africa, Mozambique and Germany.”

The choir had had “a stellar 12 months”, having featured in four nationwide advertising campaigns for big brands, she said. It had also opened a Cape Town conference and performed a private concert for an overseas visitor.

Ms Blacher said she was trying to arrange for the choir to tour the UK.

• On Saturday May 28, at 11am, the choir, together with a visiting youth choir from the Zolani community near Robertson, will give a free performance at the Mainstream Mall amphitheatre.