As South Africa celebrates Human Rights Day, the Rosa Choir in Cape Town is bridging the gap between communities through the power of song. The choir, which was founded in 2012, brings together members from all over the city to sing in isiXhosa, English, and Afrikaans, creating a space where people from different cultural and social backgrounds can connect.
The choir’s name was inspired by the iconic Cape-Malay Dutch song “Rosa,” often sung at Cape weddings and social gatherings, reflecting the group’s roots in cultural inclusivity. Choir members come from all walks of life, including gospel singers, youth activists, casual workers, professionals, and veteran Malay choir performers.
Breaking Down Barriers
According to choir founding member Kay Jaffer, singing together helps break down barriers and fosters a sense of unity and joy among members. “By the time choir members reach practice at the Artscape theatre in the city centre on a Saturday afternoon, they’ve travelled either from hours away or for just a short distance, from homes across a city deeply divided by Apartheid’s spatial planning and social engineering,” she said.
However, as the music starts, the words flow and the healing power of the choir takes over. “Singing together and sharing the joy of singing helps to break down these barriers and promotes cohesion. The arts, and especially music and singing, are powerful tools to do this. That’s one of the reasons we also sing in the three regional languages.”
Expansion Plans
The choir’s aim for this year is to expand its membership and perform more publicly. “We have also recruited a new choir director, and we are very excited about that,” said Jaffer. Bass singer Aphiwe Magodla, 21, of Gugulethu, has been a member of the choir for two years and said that being part of Rosa gives him a sense of purpose.
“Being in the choir contributes a sense of purpose and balance to my life. It gives me a space where I can express myself freely, connect with others and be fully present in the moment. Singing helps me release stress and emotions that I don’t always have words for, and it reminds me to slow down and breathe,” Magodla said.
For more information on the importance of music in social cohesion, visit the Wikipedia page on social cohesion. The Rosa Choir is a testament to the power of music in bringing people together and promoting unity.
- The choir sings in isiXhosa, English, and Afrikaans
- Members come from all walks of life
- The choir aims to expand its membership and perform more publicly
