Eastern Cape schools sang their hearts out at 17^th Annual Provincial choral competition held at Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, Missionvale campus in Port Elizabeth, with the hopeto qualify for Nationalsto be held later this year.

The highly prestigious three day competition took place from 24 to 27 May 2017, under the theme of celebrating OR Tambo centenary. Respected as one of the most cumulated school enrichment programs, the audience dressed up in formal wear as is the tradition. The competition was also braced by Eastern Cape music legends like Mr Mkhonto,Mr Yaphi,Mr Mjana and Mr Bhali.Highly qualified judges with some holding 15 years of experience in the choral music adjudication industry were given the mandate to choose the choir that is to represent the province at Nationals.

In his opening remarks, quoting Martin Luther, DDG Ray Tywakati said:“Noble art of music is the greatest treasure in the world”. He said that it was important to develop the art of music to children as it can allow them to give a perfect interpretation of the world around them.

The voices and talents present at the hall did not just happen by chance, but hands need to be raised to the teachers who have moulded that voice from practises at schools to the district level qualifiers until the provincial level,” said the DDG.

He encouraged the learner to enjoy the competition regardless of what may come from the results.

First performances of the competition on day one were the sextet by farm schools,special schoolsat primary level. The choirs competed at 10 different categories. The next group was the junior secondary schools on the second day, with five different categories and the final day were the senior secondary schools competing in 10 different categories.

Giving his support on the final day of competition, MEC of Education, Honourable Mandla Makuphula said his first observation was the communication and co-operation in school enrichment and curriculum as most of the school that were performing were those that are performing well in academics.

It is our responsibility as a collective, to encourage those that are not taking part to do so, as there is discipline that accompanies the program and the same discipline can easily be transferred to academics,” said the MEC.“Music is healing and therapeuticand it can do lot of change to our learners.

The MEC then spoke to the teachers and said that teachers are like candles that brings light while it is being consumed.

It is your efforts and ideas that bring light to the learners. Some leaners were conducting their school choirs, because it is the teacher that have recognised the skill to support the diversity of teaching.

The Amathole District swept away 11 trophies in different categories, from primary schools to high school levels.Choirs that have managed to get position 1 will be presenting the province at nationalswhich will take place on the 4^th to7^th July at Randburg in Gauteng.

For the primary school level Mayekiso, Imbasa SP, Nolitha Special, Sichwe JSS, Usenathi SP, Mandela SPS, Mali JSS. For high school Zwelivumile SSS, Zimele HS, ST Teressa SSS, Sterkspruit SSS, Tlokwana SSS, Uviwe SSS, Nzimankulu SSS, Rocklands SSS, Vuli Valley, Nombulelo SSS, Cofimvaba SSS, Bizana Zimele SSS.