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DUT Was Proud To Host SATICA 2017

DUT Was Proud To Host SATICA 2017

Durban University of Technology was the proud host of the prestigious 2017 SATICA competition. It was an inspiring and entertaining few days of and music and competition, that eventually resulted in the students from Sefako Makgatho University (SMU), being declared the overall platinum winners in the event that ran in Durban from 4 July to 9 July. SATICA stands for the South African Tertiary Institution’s Choral Association and it is a non-profit organisation that is focused on creating a platform for tertiary institution’s choirs to share and showcase their musical talent. 

The musical exchange and competition culminated with a prize-giving ceremony for the best choral and orchestral performances on Sunday, 09 July 2017, at the Fred Crookes Sports Centre on DUT’s Steve Biko campus.

The week-long event encouraged nation-building through cohesion in the creative industry through the SATICA Eisteddfod 2017, aiming to promote, nurture and foster new talent. 

Every year the choir competitions are held in different institutions around the country.  The main programme of SATICA is its annual Eisteddfod, boasting a participation of about 2500 youths.

Institutions that were part of the SATICA 2017 Eisteddfod were the Durban University of Technology, University of Fort Hare, Mangosuthu University of Technology, University of Limpopo, University of Venda, Walter Sisulu University, University of Johannesburg, Vhembe TVET College, Motheo TVET College, Sole Plaatjie University, Sefakgo Makgatho University, Tshwane University of Technology, North West University and Umfolozi TVET College.

A happy and proud Tshepo Matlala from Sefako Makgatho University said he was extremely excited with their win. “It is the first time our University has won in the biggest group of SATICA. It took two months of training and preparation to get to this point, and we are going to have big celebrations.”

In second place was the Walter Sisulu University and in third place was the University of Fort Hare.

The adjudicators had a difficult task tallying points and declaring the winners as the competition was very strong.

Adjudicator Phelelani Mnomiya said it was a great platform for all universities to come together in such a wonderful competition as SATCIA.

He also explained that the competition was adjudicated on voice interpretation, notes being correctly projected and mostly touching the hearts of the audience. “The choirs improved tremendously in the competition. However, choirs have been taken over by their conductors and choir conductors needed to pay more attention to their soloists. More emphasis needs to be taken on the beauty and weight of the voice by the choir conductors. It’s very important that conductors be aware of this,” he stressed.

 Some of the DUT team members were plagued by health issues but despite the obstacles,  DUT PMB won third place in the best ‘male voice’ category, third position in the ‘Choice Piece’ category, first place in the ‘ HIV/Aids Gold’ category and first place in the ‘African Platinum’ category.

Thulile Duma from DUT said that the event was successful and it went off very well.  “On behalf of DUT, we are thankful to all who assisted with SATICA and helped make it a tremendous success. Despite the DUT team members facing some health challenges, they were victorious in some categories, which was amazing,” she said excitedly.

Pictured: NMU students are delighted after winning at the SATICA competition.

 

Waheeda Peters

 

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