The choir that has made South Africa proud throughout their journey on America’s Got Talent sadly did not walk away with the grand prize. Their mind-blowing performances however, united the nation. The Ndlovu Youth Choir lost the final battle to 22-year-old singer Kodi Lee, who received judge Gabrielle Union’s first golden buzzer during the audition stages.
The choir first rose to fame in October 2018 with their performance of Ed Sheeran’s ‘The Shape of You” featuring Grammy-winning flutist Wouter Kellerman. The video quickly went viral in South Africa and currently sits on 4.3-million views.
The talented team went viral once again in early 2019 when they broke out into song after the plane they were on was grounded in Johannesburg due to poor weather conditions. A fellow passenger filmed this moving video.
https://www.facebook.com/kristoffer.greyling/videos/10156472531298163/
They then took their talents to an international stage when they auditioned for America’s Got Talent in March 2019. With every performance, they burrowed their way deeper and deeper into the hearts of South Africans and the American public who consistently voted them through to the final.
Here are some of their standout performances in their America’s Got Talent journey:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iCaECRMOdyw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-X7b8fYcYCk
The choir has been going for 10 years and began as a way to give many underprivileged kids purpose, a voice and happiness in the face of adversity. What resonates so much about Ndlovu Youth Choir is the message they stand for.
“Our dream is to let children around the world know that just because you are born in poverty, it doesn’t mean that you are poverty,” says conductor Ralf Schmitt.
“We want people to know that coming from a less privileged area, it doesn’t mean that you can’t accomplish anything or overcome anything. Allow yourself to dream. You can make it. The sky is the limit,” says the group.
Watching @ChoirAfrica’s final performance on @AGT filled me with immense pride & hope for the future. Our star always shines the brightest when we showcase who we truly are as South Africans. Wishing the #NdlovuYouthChoir the very best. In our eyes you are already winners. pic.twitter.com/x2y6CtAMoQ
— Cyril Ramaphosa ?? (@CyrilRamaphosa) September 18, 2019
Your motherly love and inspiration was the cherry on the cake. We love you #SuperMama @Feliciamabuza and so appreciate you coming all the way to support. ????❤️❤️❤️ https://t.co/PqhbLsGccb
— Ndlovu Youth Choir (@ChoirAfrica) September 19, 2019
Our @AGT journey may have come to an end but this is only the beginning. We are so excited for what lies ahead and we look forward to continuing sharing love, unity and above all hope. ????❤️?? #agt pic.twitter.com/EDTtYh8Sfr
— Ndlovu Youth Choir (@ChoirAfrica) September 19, 2019
#NdlovuYouthChoir @ChoirAfrica is still dancing. They are ready for #Mzansi! pic.twitter.com/pELf6CUy30
— Felicia Mabuza-Suttle (@Feliciamabuza) September 19, 2019
A proud country we are ???????? #NdlovuYouthChoir pic.twitter.com/nfbNwVfLxB
— Ndlondlo Enhle Msibi (@BusiMsibi21) September 18, 2019
Thank you for being amazing ambassadors for South Africa. You put on a great performance every time you were on that stage, and with immense passion. Well done. You are all winners. #NdlovuYouthChoir #ProudlySA https://t.co/OXIFWGqCA9
— DIRCO South Africa (@DIRCO_ZA) September 19, 2019
Picture: Ndlovu Youth Choir/Twitter