The call is out for 1 400 voices to join Cape Town’s celebration of World Singing Day on Saturday 17 October at Groote Kerk, Adderley Street.

Hosted by The Heartsong Collective, a local non-profit community choir, and Uthando South Africa, the event will feature guest appearances by Vicky Sampson and Khayelitsha-based singer/songwriter Mohau Moahloli.

The audience becomes the choir at the event, which runs from 18:30 to 21:00. Lyrics will be provided so that everyone can take part, regardless of musical background or singing experience.

The theme, “One country. One voice. One day”, celebrates what unites South Africans rather than what divides them, bringing people of different ages, cultures, faiths and communities into one shared experience.

“It is an expression of ubuntu: the understanding that our humanity is strengthened through our connection with one another,” Heartsong Collective founder Lynne Poulsen said.

The song at the heart of the event will be a South African adaptation of Matisyahu’s “One Day”.

Global movement

Cape Town will join communities around the world in the 15th annual World Singing Day, founded in 2012 by Colorado musician Scott Johnson. The movement’s central message is: “Sing together. Unite the world.”

“South Africa has something distinctive to contribute,” Poulsen said. “Our extraordinary singing tradition is renowned for its emotional depth, rhythmic vitality, rich harmonies and ability to communicate across cultural and linguistic boundaries.”

Sampson said music had enabled her to bridge divides among people from all walks of life. “Even during Apartheid, music played a very significant role in building our morale, giving us courage and uniting us to stand against the evils of human unkindness and intolerance. It is still doing this, even today,” she said.

Opportunity

A portion of ticket proceeds will support the Red Cross Memorial Children’s Trust and the SA Children’s Home.

Five choirs will receive sponsored participation, opening the experience to singers who might otherwise not have the opportunity to take part.

The programme will include Lionel Richie’s “Love Oh Love”, “Room for Everyone”, the World Singing Day song, and Johnny Clegg’s “Osiyeza”, alongside other community songs.

The event builds on the success of The Heartsong Collective’s 2025 event at Kalk Bay Community Hall, where audiences were invited to become part of the music.

“We want people to leave feeling that, for a moment, they belonged to something bigger than themselves,” Poulsen said. “When 1 400 people breathe together, sing together and hear their voices become one, something very powerful happens.”

General public tickets cost R200. Choir group bookings are R100 per person and disadvantaged choir groups R50 per person.

Tickets are available at quicket.co.za. Block bookings for choirs can be made by emailing lynne@theheartsongcollective.co.za

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