The choir started in May 2001 a year before Sunduza dance theatre returned to their international touring base in Sheffield. Initially led by Simon Banda encouraged by the tour producer and manager-Philip Weiss. We had no idea that 25 years later the choir would still be functioning. It is a credit to all past and present members several of whom were learning to really sing in harmony for the first time. The choir gets its head around multiple African languages and some basic choreography.
The late Mandla Sibanda from Sunduza became the permanent director of music until 2012 when he sadly passed away. By that time the choir had worked with Novib in Amsterdam to deliver the intenational premiere of Peter Maissan’s Poverty Requiem alongside several other world cities. We had become a regular part of the African business leadership challenge and performed for them in London. We entered BBC choir of the Year competition and Choirs Rock in Leeds (2012)for which a beautiful video exists on our video channel. Mandla also led and helped organise the Electric Challenge Festival in Christmas 2009 as part of Burngreave celebrations. Check out the archive photos below.
Several members have been with the choir since the beginning, others have also returned!
Recordings
We have 3 main recordings. Tauya was recorded live at the University Firth Hall in May 2003. Manhanga was recorded in 2005 as a studio recording(see video), and Sibemunye was part funded by the British Council Global Partnership projects as part of the Sustainable development Goal projects. It incorporates a full DVD and produced by SEMEA managed by Mandla Sibanda and Philip Weiss drawing on the link between Sheffield and Bulawayo. It was completed in 2012.
The Electric Challenge
The photos shown below are part of the 2009 project funded by Burngreave New Deal for Communities to draw together a diverse community.
