Loyiso Bala and PJ Powers’ cherished bond, forged in the unexpected setting of a 1995 Rugby World Cup, has been instrumental to the musician he is today and has stood the test of time.

Johannesburg, South Africa (18 September 2024) – Unexpected friendships, often filled with hilarious or heartwarming stories, are among life’s greatest gifts and have a charming way of lasting a lifetime!

Reflecting on his unique and invaluable bond with PJ “Thandeka” Powers was Loyiso Bala, when they first met back in 1995. He was just 15 at the time and was a member of the acclaimed Drakensberg Boys Choir.

The choir has been asked to sing the new national anthem with PJ at the opening of the ’95 Rugby World Cup.

“After a full day of rehearsals at the stadium, around 10 pm, we got an unexpected call: we needed to record the old anthem because the Springboks hadn’t had time to learn the new one,” Loyiso explained.

For some of us who may not know, Loyisa shared that back in the day, the old anthem was Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika and Die Stem, sung as two separate pieces, not the united version we have today.

“So, there we were, in the early hours before the big event, recording with PJ. And while the Boks didn’t even sing along during the opening, that night I made a friend and sister for life.”

From that moment on, the two have grown to become great friends, and PJ played a valuable role in supporting Loyiso and sharing his passion for music.

“She became not only a mentor but a true supporter of my talent, always encouraging me to keep going.”

Nearly 30 years later, their friendship remains as strong as ever, and they continue to collaborate and inspire each other.

Sources: Loyiso Bala

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A symphony of young voices and heartfelt appreciation filled the air as the Drakensberg Boys Choir enchanted their audience on Women’s Day.

Drakensberg, South Africa (13 August 2024) – The Drakensberg Boys Choir treated women to an unforgettable Women’s Day concert!

The power of music has a profound impact, capable of evoking a range of emotions – something the Drakensberg Boys Choir knows how to do flawlessly. For women often balancing multiple roles, a concert such as this provides a much-needed escape, allowing them to relax, be entertained, and feel appreciated.

Every attendee was welcomed with a unique and thoughtful gift: a handmade bookmark featuring the iconic Cathkin Peak, sketched by one of the choir’s talented students.

The audience enjoyed a varied selection of pieces from the “Drakie” repertoire during the first part of the magical show. There was also a guest appearance by a talented and polished choir and small musical ensemble from the Hellenic Academy of Harare in Zimbabwe, who stopped over on their way to compete in an eisteddfod in Cape Town.

However, there was magic in store as the audience was spellbound by a vibrant performance of the Afropop repertoire after the interval.

The boys’ choir has become known for its captivating performances, which are guaranteed to stir up emotion or comfort the soul.

“The visiting choir joined our boys on stage for a final song and the concert concluded with a hearty rendition of ‘Shosholoza’ in which our prospective 2025 New Boys made a cameo appearance.

“It was heartwarming to see many of our Drakie parents at what proved to be a stellar concert, making the most of the long weekend and an opportunity to spend a moment or two with their boys,” a post stated.

Sources: Drakensberg Boys Choir

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Or watch an episode of Good Things TV below, a show created to offer South Africans balance in a world with what feels like constant bad news. We’re here to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in South Africa & we’ll leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.

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