As part of instilling patriotism in public servants, the Free State Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation (DSACR) last week hosted its interdepartmental choral competitions, which took place in the Free State Povince for the first time.
Various choral ensembles from different government departments contested for prizes. These choral ensembles performed prescribed songs such as the South African national anthem, the African Union anthem, “Mankanisi”, and Folklore “anti-xenophobia” songs in the Sand du Plessis Theatre.
There were prizes in the form of trophies that were awarded to the winning choirs that performed each prescribed song to the satisfaction of an independent panel of judges. Departmental choirs that were represented were the DSACR, Agriculture, Education, Health, Social Development, Police, Roads and Transport, Economic, Small Business Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs, Treasury, Justice and Constitutional Development, the SAPS Choir, Public Works & Infrastructure, COGTA and Human Settlements.
The winners of the South African National Anthem was the DSACR, with the Department of Social Development in second place and the Department of Health in third place.
Winner of the African Union Anthem was once again the DSACR, with the South African Police Service in second place and the Department of Social Development in third place.
The Department of Social Development won the Indigenous Folklore category.
“We are proud to have hosted such a successful choral competition. Through this initiative the Free State Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation is elevating choral music to a more coordinated and professional musical genre. This art form can play an important role in our efforts to promote moral regeneration and can be a vehicle through which we drive our anti-crime campaigns in the province. It is important to encourage our people to cherish and take part in choral music. In fostering social cohesion and nation building, choirs play a vital role in disseminating messages of unity and national pride,” said Free State Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation MEC, Mathabo Leeto.
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Choral competition fosters nation building
Here are Tona Molalenyani (Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation's Choral Coordinator), Adv. Tsoarelo Malakoane (Head of the Department), and MEC, Mathabo Leeto, during the prize-giving at the interdepartmental choral competition.
