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25 March 2022 | Story Anthony Mthembu | Photo Supplied
Bloemfontein Campus Choir
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

Khayalami residence launches first in-house library
2016-04-21

Description: 2016 KL News Khayalami library  Tags: Khayalami residence launches first in-house library in the country
Bongani Mtotoba (left) and Sinoxolo Gcilitshana (right) at the first-ever 24 hour in-house library at Khayalami residence. The librarian and Deputy Residence Head respectively hope to revive the culture of reading on our Bloemfontein Campus.
Photo: Valentino Ndaba

“It is said that reading means to the brain what exercise means to the body. For that reason, we want to bring back the culture of reading to our students who are, after all, the future replacement of the leadership of our wounded and broken country,” said Sinoxolo Gcilitshana, Deputy Residence Head, and Prime of Khayalami.

Titles such as A Life Ever Lasting by Miranda Hearn, To Live Free by William Wilberforce, Powers of Darkness Powers of Light by John Cornwell, and Character Counts by Charles Dyer are among the 228 inspirational books on the shelves of Khayalami residence’s library. Tuesday 12 April 2016 was a proud moment for the residence as it launched the first library in the country located within a university residence on the Bloemfontein Campus of the University of the Free State.

Last year, Dimpho Jasa, a resident at Khayalami, approached Sinoxolo, who then held the Residence Committee (RC): Academics portfolio, with an idea of forming a book club. Sinoxolo had suggested that a library be established in order to make the book club sustainable. That conversation served as a foundation of the 24 hour in-house library.

“We started with five books last year,” said Sinoxolo, “and ever since we sent the message out, the Vice-Chancellor and Rector, Prof Jonathan Jansen has been supporting us together with the Vice-Rector, Prof Nicky Morgan, as well as the Dean of the Faculty of Education, Prof Sechaba Mahlomaholo, and the Head of the Department of English, Prof Helene Strauss.”  

Now, more than 170 young men have access to a growing library that is expected to hold 1500 books by September, when Sinoxolo steps down as the Prime. According to Bongani Mtotoba, the RC: Academics and librarian, some residents have made pledges to help expand the collection. “The response has been quite positive from the guys,” he said.

Borrowers are required to submit a book review upon returning the book. This feedback will be compiled by the English Department into a book available to the public.

Khayalami’s pioneering spirit has also seen the residence run a successful writing competition in 2015. It has since been introduced to the rest of the East College, and now will take place annually.  

For more information on how to donate books or enter the writing completion, contact Sinoxolo on 0783332203 or semsinoxolo@hotmail.com.

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