Online Reporter
Mthokozisi Ncube [email protected]
Bulawayo has once again become the home of Zimbabwean choral music as the fifth edition of the Siyephambili Choral Festival (SCF) is being held in the city, bringing together some of the country’s most accomplished primary school, high school and adult choirs for a three-day musical showcase.
The festival, which runs from Thursday to Saturday, has attracted choirs from the host city, Harare, Matabeleland North, Matabeleland South, Mashonaland East, Mashonaland Central and Masvingo.
This year’s edition marks a major milestone for the festival, which has grown from a community choir competition into one of Zimbabwe’s premier choral events.
Today’s opening programme features 10 primary school choirs, with performances from Chipindura Primary School (Mashonaland Central), Pelandaba SDA, Newton Primary, Mahatshula Primary, Usher Primary (Matabeleland South), Mhali Primary, Solusi Adventist School, A.M.R Sisters, Glen View 2 Primary School and Mahlathini Primary School.
The competition shifts to high schools on Friday, where 14 schools will compete, including Tennyson Hlabangana, Founders High School, Lighthouse Christian College, Mpopoma High School, Jubilee Academy, Mandwandwe High School, Pumula High School, St Mary’s High School, St Francis of Assisi, Thekwane High School, Waddilove High School and Altheit High School.
The festival concludes on Saturday with the adult choir category, featuring Psalmody Ensemble Choir, Bulawayo Choristers, Bindura Community Choir, Sweet Melodies Chorale, D.O.S.A Chorale, Zhwane Choristers and the Catholic Gregorian Choral Choir.
Founded in 2022, the Siyephambili Choral Festival was established by directors from four community choirs, Bulawayo Choristers Choir, Bulawayo Voices of Victory, Catholic Gregorian Choral Choir and Sweet Melodies Chorale with the aim of creating a platform that promotes musical excellence, fellowship and spiritual worship through choral music. Since its inception, the festival has expanded significantly.
It began as a competition for community choirs before introducing a high school category in 2023, primary schools in 2024, and a percussion bands competition for children under the age of eight in 2025. Now in its fifth year, the festival has attracted participants from across Zimbabwe and continues to establish itself as one of the country’s fastest-growing choral competitions.
Speaking ahead of the festival, chairperson, Busani Nkomo said the event continues to focus on musical excellence and spiritual growth.
“The repertoire for this year’s competition was prayerfully and musically considered. Each piece carries a spiritual message and musical challenge for the choirs. Our goal is not only to measure choral excellence in terms of blend, intonation, phrasing and interpretation, but also to uplift audiences through music that glorifies God.”
Each category has been assigned a prescribed set piece. Primary school choirs will perform the Xhosa hymn Ndabon’Othile Emthini, while high schools will present the Sesotho hymn Liphala. The adult choirs will perform one of the world’s most celebrated sacred compositions, Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus, a demanding masterpiece renowned for its rich harmonies and majestic choral writing.
Nkomo said selecting the piece reflects the festival’s vision.
“The Hallelujah Chorus symbolises our belief that the festival itself is guided by divine inspiration. It requires discipline, unity of tone and expressive conviction, qualities we hope to cultivate among participating choirs.”
The Siyephambili Choral Festival comes just weeks after the successful Econet iJoy Afta Joy Choral Competition, reinforcing Bulawayo’s growing reputation as Zimbabwe’s leading destination for major choral music festivals.
With defending champions returning alongside newcomers eager to make their mark, organisers expect fierce competition over the next three days as hundreds of choristers unite in celebration of music, faith and artistic excellence.
