INGOMA CHOIR
OF CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA
#Sing&BeHappy #GoosebumpsGuaranteed
About us
ABOUT
The Ingoma Choir was set up in 2017 as a social enterprise to celebrate the beauty of African choral whilst uplifting the community of Imizamo Yethu near Cape Town. Since then it has established itself as one of the most successful township choirs in the country, having performed at countless weddings and other private events, appeared on national and international TV, been onstage at the KFM K Day, and featured in TV and radio adverts for Shoprite, Checkers and Spur.
The music is mainly traditional, unaccompanied choral, sung in isiXhosa and other African languages, with occasional drumming - and we also explore Western pop, Classical and other genres . Our tagline is #GoosebumpsGuaranteed, because the beauty of our harmonies is so powerful.
There are about 25 members of the choir, men and women aged between about 16 and 45, many employed in restaurants, petrol stations and supermarkets, with others in community and teaching roles, studying at school or college, or unemployed. The choir was originally conducted by the legendary Zamile Gantana, whom we lost tragically to Covid in 2020. Since then we had the very good fortune to be able to engage Lunathi Ncamani, a highly experienced conductor, and member of the Stellenbosch University music faculty.
We are a registered non-profit company and proceeds are split between conductor and members, with a proportion re-invested into the project.
Our Story
In 2019 filmmaker Joanna Ryan visited from the UK and made this wonderful little film about us (6m47s).
WHAT WE OFFER
The best township choir in Cape Town!
WEDDINGS & EVENTS
We have performed at many weddings across the Western Cape over the past years, and we are always thrilled to add to a couple's special day. For local - and perhaps especially overseas couples - Ingoma adds a special layer of African authenticity and joy to the event, and we often receive feedback that the choir was the bit all their guests were talking about!
We have built up some good relationships with wedding planners and are always delighted to get to know more - so if you're a wedding or an event planner please do contact us for a chat or to visit us at rehearsal.
We have also sung at conferences, book launches, other corporate events, private parties, and funerals.
COMMERCIAL WORK, STUDIO RECORDINGS AND BACKING VOCALS
We can provide lead or backing vocals for TV and radio commercials, studio album recordings or - basically anything that needs some epic voices! We have appeared in campaigns for Shoprite, Checkers, Ackermans and Spur, and performed with leading South African performers including Majozi and Bongeziwe Mabandla.
TOWNSHIP TOURISM
We love to welcome visitors to our community in Imizamo Yethu, Hout Bay, near Cape Town, so they can get an insight into the vibe, culture and challenges of township life, and the energy and resilience of the people who live there. We partner with a couple of local tour-guides, including Mhinti's Tours , who can combine walking tours of the township with a visit to our weekly rehearsal. Sometimes this is even combined with a traditional Xhosa meal or a visit to the tavern!
In addition we can act as "township fixers" if you need to co-ordinate and safeguard photo shoots, filming, outreach or other activities in the small, accessible and friendly community of Imizamo Yethu.
REVIEWS
Thoughts from happy clients and audience members!
Silke Gehring, 99c, Head of Broadcast, Shoprite
“We have had the pleasure of working with the Ingoma Choir over a few commercial campaigns with Shoprite. They are very talented, dedicated and collaborative and they sing beautifully! It is a pleasure to work with them as well as listen to them.”
Mary-Clare, UK
"What do you buy a 90 year old for their birthday? We found the perfect answer … book the Hout Bay Ingoma Choir to perform at the birthday event. From start to finish, it was a pleasure to deal with the choir - professional, flexible and of course, most importantly, gave the most incredible performance that many people still talk about over three years later. I would highly recommend booking the choir for any occasion"
Tebogo & Brett, London
"It was always our dream to have an amazing African Choir for our wedding and the Hout Bay Ingoma Choir made this a reality! From beginning to end, booking and working with the Hout Bay Ingoma Choir was such a pleasure. Tanya was always responsive, helpful and supportive throughout the process and we could tell they really wanted us to have everything we had dreamed of. On the wedding day, the choir were on time and absolutely blew our guests away with their amazing singing! Our guests are still talking about them and I would absolutely recommend them to any future brides and grooms wanting to book them for their special day! Thank you Ingoma Choir - forever in our hearts :)"
Laura, USA
"My family and I had the extreme pleasure to hear the choir during our visit from the US last week. They are phenomenal! Don’t hesitate to see them if you can!"
Local Resident
"Just returned from an evening watching and listening to the Ingoma Choir from IY. Wow! What a show. So uplifting. If you get a chance, go to the next concert, you won't be disappointed"
Brian, CONTRACT, Cape Town
"What an amazing experience! Having the energy and passion of the Ingoma Choir with us at our company's 15 year celebration was one of the highlights of the evening. A performance marked by tremendous musical skill, fantastic stage presence and a highly professional approach created magic that we and our guests from around the world will long remember. May many have the gift of such a performance. Thank you!"
