iThemba Youth Choir is a vibrant, high-energy youth ensemble based in Khayelitsha, Cape Town. Founded in 2021 as a non-profit organisation, the choir was created to nurture young talent through music while providing young people with opportunities to develop confidence, discipline, creativity and performance skills.
Beginning with just seven members, iThemba has grown into an ensemble of more than 50 young performers, predominantly high-school learners and unemployed youth. More than a traditional choir, the group brings together singers, poets and dancers, creating performances that combine powerful vocal harmonies with movement, rhythm, storytelling and South African cultural expression.
Their repertoire spans traditional African and South African music, contemporary favourites and internationally recognised material, allowing the choir to adapt their performances for corporate events, conferences, gala dinners, festivals, cultural celebrations and major concert productions.
PERFORMANCE HIGHLIGHTS
A significant career highlight was iThemba Youth Choir’s appearance at the prestigious RMB Starlight Classics at Vergelegen Wine Estate, one of South Africa’s premier Afro-symphonic concert productions. The choir appeared as part of a high-profile line-up featuring Nomcebo Zikode, Vuvu Mpofu, Ross Learmonth, the Three Mzansi Tenors, pianist Heinrich Sutton, Charl du Plessis and Katlego Maboe, accompanied by the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra.
The choir has also performed at the International Astronomical Union General Assembly at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC). Their opening performance showcased South African music and culture to an international audience and received a standing ovation.
Their growing profile has also seen them selected for high-profile cultural, corporate and public performances across Cape Town, including appearances that celebrate South African heritage and showcase young African talent to both local and international audiences.
In the recording space, iThemba Youth Choir featured with young South African artist Mbali Makhoba (SA Fire) on her single “It’s Not Now”, further demonstrating the ensemble’s ability to move between live performance and contemporary musical collaborations.
ARTISTS & MUSICIANS FEATURED ALONGSIDE
Through major productions such as RMB Starlight Classics, iThemba Youth Choir has shared the programme with leading South African performers including:
Nomcebo Zikode | Vuvu Mpofu | Ross Learmonth | Katlego Maboe | Charl du Plessis | Three Mzansi Tenors | Heinrich Sutton | Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra
The choir’s combination of youthful energy, exceptional harmonies, African rhythm, dance and visual performance makes them particularly effective for opening ceremonies, conference arrivals, awards evenings, gala dinners and proudly South African corporate events.
At the heart of iThemba is its name – “hope” – and this spirit is evident in every performance. The choir represents far more than entertainment: it is a platform for young people to develop their talents while presenting the energy, diversity and cultural richness of South Africa to audiences around the world.
Ithemba Youth Choir
Ithemba Youth Choir
