A new Malay choir is calling on the public for support.
The Santos Male Voice Choir was established earlier this year in New Woodlands, Mitchell’s Plain, to compete at the Keep The Dream Malay Choir Board competition later this year.
The choir has just over 40 members of all ages from Hanover Park, Manenberg, Woodstock, Bo Kaap and Mitchell’s Plain.
“Our primary aim is to divert our youth away from the perils of gangsterism and substance abuse by providing them with constructive and engaging activities,” said manager Achmat Anderson.
However, it was difficult trying to run a choir in an area rife with poverty and unemployment, he added.
“Poverty remains a significant challenge in our community. As evidenced by our registration as a non-profit company, our focus is solely on serving our community, particularly the vulnerable youth, rather than accruing profits.”
Most of the choir’s members were unemployed, he said.
“With there being so many unemployed, this poses a significant obstacle in organising events like the choral competitions and road marches, especially during the festive season.”
The choir’s vice chairman, Ebrahim Londt, described the group as a “brotherhood”.
“We don’t want to sound as if we are begging because we are not. We really want to try and find sponsors to help our youth coming out of these poverty-stricken areas. Areas where the violence has taken over. We want to take them out of that environment,” he said.
Mr Londt said sponsorship would help with transport and tracksuit costs.
The choir, which says it needs about R150 000 to cover operational costs, will hold a karaoke party at the Weltevreden Hall in Mitchell’s Plain on Friday September 6, from 7pm. Tickets are R80. Contact Luqmaan Appollis at 078 055 1211 for details. Potential sponsors of the choir can contact Achmat Anderson at 078 356 2969 or Saeidien Hendricks at 082 770 0288.
