Goosebumps with the Masifunde Youth Choir from South Africa
2026-06-25
The Masifunde Youth Choir‘s 75-minute concert was a tour through a breathtaking world of music that gave its audience goosebumps. On June 16, 2026, twenty young people between the ages of 14 and 18 from Walmer Township in South Africa shared the power of their singing, filling the space with their unamplified voices. Their music is unbelievably melodious and touches listeners profoundly, even when they do not understand their lyrics: these teenagers sing in their native language Xhosa. Their music speaks for itself. It is moving and entrances everyone who hears it.
Umckaloabo Foundation supports Masifunde
Their concert was rounded out by a short film which played as the choir sang. Nearly 200 audience members saw images about the beauty of South Africa as well as the reality of living in the Township, the teenagers’ everyday lives and the encouraging work that Masifunde pursues. For many years, the
Be the change
The choir makes clear what Masifunde means for the children in the Township. These young people can sing with such power and expression because they are talented musicians – and because Masifunde gives them courage and confidence that there is a gift in every child. Each one of them is full of potential. Choir directors Lesego Mkhwanazi and Siba Sarabi give them space and the professional support to develop their innate potential. And bold young people who know what they are worth can change society. This is Masifunde’s goal: to turn children and adolescents into changemakers. Don’t wait for change: be the change! Including in your own life.
Masifunde – for greater opportunities in the Township
June 16th is also the anniversary of the 1976 Soweto student uprising against the racist apartheid regime, an event which marked the beginning of the end of racial segregation in South Africa. To this day, the lines which separate black and white are visible and tangible. That makes Masifunde’s work all the more important as it offers excellent educational opportunities to organization even supports rising entrepreneurs.
Committed Schwabe employees, charitable giving
The Umckaloabo Foundation relies on a large network of volunteers, most of whom are employees of the Schwabe Group. Another sign that the choir’s music and Masifunde’s work created a major impression: over 1,800 euros came together for the primary school in Walmer Township, our 2026 “School in Africa.”