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UFS Choirs Entertaining and Uplifting Staff and Students

25 March 2022 | Story Anthony Mthembu | Photo Supplied

The Bloemfontein Campus Choir singing in front of the Main Building for students in celebration of Human Rights Day.

Students on the Bloemfontein Campus were treated to a lunch-hour music performance by the campus choir – an uplifting musical production led by the indomitable Sibongile Mngoma, conductor of the choir on the Bloemfontein Campus. The performance, which was in celebration of Human Rights Day, took place on 22 March 2022 in front of the Main Building. “We realised that people were hungry to hear beautiful music and beautiful sounds, and we started these pop-up performances just to revive people’s spirit and to give them hope,” says Lucy Sehloho, Officer: Arts and Culture in the Department of Student Affairs. As such, the staff and students at the University of the Free State (UFS) can look forward to a series of pop-up performances by the UFS choirs, specifically on the Bloemfontein and South Campuses.

One institution, different sounds

According to Sehloho, “the choirs are all running on the same constitution and the same code of conduct”. However, they are slightly different in sound, and this is determined by the audience to whom the respective choirs cater, and the number of members involved in the choir. The Bloemfontein Campus choir is known to cover genres such as rap, trap, classical music, and South African choral music. However, the Qwaqwa Campus choir focuses on choral music and various African sounds, while the South Campus choir manoeuvres through most of the abovementioned genres.

Preparing for life as an artist after university

It is important to note that the choirs are not just a safe space that encourages expression for young artists. Indeed, for many students it is also the beginning of a career. As such, they are taught lessons about financial literacy and the ability to brand themselves as artists. “One of the things I am teaching the students is how to price and cost themselves,” Sehloho highlighted. In fact, Sehloho argues that a major challenge among young performers when they leave university, is that – because they have never charged a fee for their service – they have no idea how to price and sustain themselves from the money they acquire. Consequently, industry experts are invited to provide insight into the realities of the world for artists once they start working. These industry experts include Dr Jerry Mofokeng wa Makhetha.

Future endeavours for the respective choirs

In addition to these lessons, the choirs have various projects that they are working on. The Bloemfontein Campus choir is currently planning performances for national holidays such as Freedom Day and Youth Day. The choir is also gearing up for a performance of Handel’s Messiah in celebration of Easter. The South Campus is specifically working towards the Network Festival in collaboration with Oranje Girls’ School. Furthermore, the Bloemfontein Campus choir will compete in the Sing for Gold competition in Barcelona this coming October. Once an institutional choir has been finalised, the Arts and Culture team will represent the UFS and the nation at the World Choir Games in 2023.

The main challenge experienced by the choirs

Although the choirs are succeeding in entertaining and uplifting the UFS community, there are still some challenges that hinder their growth to some extent. Racial diversity is one of these barriers. ‘’When someone looks at the choir, they don’t get to see the full picture of who we as the University of the Free State are in terms of diversity,’’ she explains. Therefore, Sehloho notes that the respective choirs are open to students from all walks of life in order to ensure racial and cultural diversity. As such, students who are interested in joining can contact Lucy Sehloho at SehlohoLP@ufs.ac.za

News Archive

Almost 2000 degrees and diplomas conferred at Winter Graduation

2015-06-26

Live streaming will be available on: http://livestream.ufs.ac.za/

The 2015 Winter Graduations are almost underway. The highlight on the university calendar for every graduate will take place on the Bloemfontein Campus on 1-2 July 2015. On 1 July 2015, diplomas will be awarded by the Centre of Financial Planning Law (331 in total) and the School of Open Learning (376 in total). On 2 July 2015, a total of 1 220 master’s and doctoral degrees will be awarded to graduates from all seven faculties.

A highlight at this year’s Winter Graduation is the awarding of three honorary degrees by the university. Ambassador Lakhdar Brahimi, Dr Mercy Oduyoye and Mr John Samuel will receive honorary degrees.

On 17 August 2012, Ambassador Brahimi was appointed by the United Nations as the new peace envoy to Syria, replacing Kofi Annan. He is also a member of the Commission on Legal Empowerment of the Poor, the first global initiative to focus specifically on the link between exclusion, poverty and the law. Prof Heidi Hudson, Head of the Centre for Africa Studies at the UFS, will receive the honorary degree on his behalf.

Dr Oduyoye is widely regarded as one of the most influential women theologians Africa has produced in recent history. Currently, she directs the Institute of African Women in Religion and Culture at the Trinity Theology Seminary in Legon, Ghana.

Mr John Samuel, who will receive an honorary award, is also scheduled to be a guest speaker at the two ceremonies on 1 July 2015.

Wednesday 1 July 2015:

John Samuel will be the speaker at both ceremonies. He is one of South Africa’s leading education experts with international and national experience, covering a period of more than forty years. He was involved in the founding of the South African Campaign: Public Participation in Education Network (PPEN), established the Centre for Education Policy Development, the Joint Working Group (for The National Party Government and the ANC), the National Education Conference, and the National Education and Training Forum. He also made leadership contributions to the First Education and Training White Paper, the Transformation Strategy for the National Education Department, and the first Green Paper on Higher Education.

John is also Senior Programme Director of the WK Kellogg Foundation in the USA. He has also been the Chief Executive of the Nelson Mandela Foundation, and the CEO of the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls.

Thursday 2 July 2015:

Nataniël will be the speaker at both ceremonies. Nataniël is a singer, songwriter, and South African entertainer, who has crossed from the alternative circuit to the stage. For the past 10 years, he has become well-known for his outspoken Kaalkop column in SARIE magazine. His solo career was launched in 1987 and, since then, he has released 16 albums, staged more than 70 original theatre productions, and published 15 books. Over the past two decades, Nataniël has gained the title of South Africa’s leading exponent of the solo stage act. He manages Kaalkop Studio, his lifestyle retail company, and records on his own independent label, Nataniël House Of Music. He is an ambassador for Child Welfare SA, and also heads his own charitable foundation, The Nataniël Progress Project.

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