We were lucky to drive through the Champagne Valley on a Wednesday, when the world-renowned Drakensberg Boys Choir was performing its weekly concert in the 600-seat Ken MacKenzie Auditorium. We met Hendrik Bekker, the Executive Headmaster, who shared the background and history of this legendary performing arts school.
The Drakensberg Boys Choir School was established in 1967 by John Tungay and is unique as the only dedicated choir boarding school on the African continent. It welcomes boys in Grades 4 to 9, typically ages 9 to 15, combining a strong academic curriculum with intensive musical training. Its mission is to use choral music as a vehicle for holistic education, character development and cultural diplomacy.
The choir is known for blending classical choral masterpieces, pop, and jazz with vibrant, choreographed performances featuring indigenous South African music, traditional folk songs, and Afro-pop.
The school also regularly tours both nationally and internationally, performing across Southern Africa as well as in Europe, Japan and the United States. For us, seeing one of these performances while travelling through the Drakensberg was a wonderful, unexpected highlight of our journey.
Parking location – Monks Cowl: 29.0172731S 29.4625268E (🚻,🚿,💦,🔌,🍽️,🅿️120 ZAR/pax)