Online Reporter
Tafadzwa Zimoyo in Busan, South Korea
ZIMBABWE’S Gracious Choir turned the closing ceremony of the International Youth Fellowship (IYF) World Camp into a spectacular celebration of music, drama and visual storytelling.
The group delivered a powerful stage production that earned a standing ovation from more than 20,000 delegates from across the globe.
The performance, which combined choral music, acting, choreography and carefully crafted stage movements, was one of the biggest highlights of the closing ceremony, leaving audiences describing the production as a “movie brought to life”. As the lights dimmed and the performers took over the stage, the massive audience watched in silence before erupting into applause as the story unfolded through a seamless blend of music, emotions and dramatic scenes.
Delegates from different countries praised not only the artistic excellence of Gracious Choir but also the technical execution, particularly the stage direction, lighting, camera movements and live production quality. South African delegate, Thabo Mokoena, said the performance showed the importance of investing in creative industries.
“What we witnessed was beyond a performance; it was a complete production.
“The way the cameras captured every moment, the movement on stage and the storytelling was at an international level.
“It felt like watching a movie, yet it was happening live in front of us,” he said.
Mokoena added that African countries could learn from such presentations.
“Our countries must tap into this kind of creativity.
“We have talented young people, but we need to invest more in stage production, technology and the arts so that our stories can be presented to the world in this way,” he said.
Brazilian delegate, Ana Carvalho, described the performance as a “beautiful example of how art can unite people”.
“The emotions, the music and the visuals were amazing. Sometimes you forget you are watching a live performance because everything was so perfectly coordinated.
“The camera work made it feel like a cinema experience,” she said.
Martin Mangou said the production showed that Zimbabwe can learn one or two from the play.
He said the performance should inspire more investment into the creative sector.
“We need to create platforms where young artists can learn these skills because the future of entertainment is not only about talent but also about technology, production and presentation,” he said.
The IYF World Camp, which brought together thousands of young people from different nations, has become a platform for cultural exchange, leadership development and showcasing global talent.
Gracious Choir’s performance became one of the defining moments of the closing ceremony, proving the power of arts and culture in connecting audiences beyond borders.
For many delegates, the message was clear — African creativity has a global audience, but it requires support, investment and platforms that match its talent.
