We love initiatives that add hope to the world and seek to make it a better place. We have enjoyed watching the impact and growth of the Mzansi Youth Choir (MYC) over the last few years. Their passion and energy is inspiring, here is the official press release about MYC’s latest release.

The Mzansi Youth Choir has recorded a beautifully haunting rendition of the popular Christmas carol Silent Night. The track, which is sung in six of South Africa’s official languages, is a collaboration between the choir and a number of top local artists.

“We have built so many strong relationships with artists from all genres”, says chorister Babalwa Maqungo.  “We presented the idea of Silent Night and an even bigger concept, #HopeForTheHolidays to them and they all said yes!  We believe that through #HopeForTheHolidays we can inspire deep connections between each of us by exploring each others’ languages, all during the festive season!”

“None of the vocal artists in the collaboration sing in their home language on the track,”, says Lucky Khumalo, bass singer in the choir.  “We had so much fun working with each artist in studio, teaching them to sing in our home languages, such as Sesotho and Isizulu, but also learning better pronunciation of the Afrikaans verse from some of them!”

A major focus of the #HopeForTheHolidays concept is the idea that there is so much joy to be had as a South African learning more about other local languages.  “When we learn even the smallest thing about another person’s language, we immediately feel closer to them”, says alto voice Lelo Chibielo.

As a firm Christmas favourite that has been translated into many languages throughout the world, Silent Night made perfect sense as the collaboration’s first release.

Everyone who celebrates Christmas is familiar with the tune, says tenor, Bheka Mkhize .  “Hearing it sung in our local languages will hopefully open the door for conversations and deeper cross-cultural empathy.  We also hope that choirs and families around South Africa will give singing this version a try!”

The languages in the song are English, Sesotho, Afrikaans, isiZulu, isiXhosa and Setswana. It is performed by MYC and Friends – Lira, Elvis Blue, Nadíne, Ntsika, Coenie de Villiers, Timothy Moloi, Ami Faku, Corlea Botha, Donald, Tarryn Lamb, Riana Nel, Yanga, Wouter Kellerman (flute) and Simon Nyivana (saxophone).

Silent Night by MYC and Friends is available in various audio and video formats (single, backtrack, rehearsal tracks, music video, EPK, behind-the-scenes video and pronunciation guide). Sheet music for choirs and a lyric sheet to sing along are also available. 

Watch the music video here:

To request the sheet music or any rehearsal tracks, contact MYC through any of their social media handles:

@MYCSoweto (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter)

The Mzansi Youth Choir and Friends wish you a joyous festive season, filled with #HopeForTheHolidays