DRAKENSBERG BOYS CHOIR LAUNCHES 2025 NATIONAL TOUR
"DRAKIES ON TOUR – HELLO, SOUTH AFRICA!"
5 February 2025
JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA – The Drakensberg Boys Choir School (DBCS) is excited to announce the launch of their 2025 National Tour, starting Sunday, 9 March, with a highly anticipated opening concert in Bloemfontein. Following a sold-out tour in the United Kingdom last year – where the choir received standing ovations from audiences, including HRH Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh – the boys are eager to bring their electrifying performances back home to South Africa.
"Touring South Africa is essential to us," says Hendrik Bekker, Executive Head of DBCS. "After the overwhelming reception we received abroad, including from royalty, we're thrilled to bring that same energy to our South African audiences. Whether performing in large cities or small towns, our mission remains to unite people through the transformative power of music."
From 9 to 17 March 2025, the Drakies will visit Bloemfontein, Graaff-Reinet, Plettenberg Bay, Still Bay, Stellenbosch, Cape Town, and Pennington. The programme will showcase the choir's signature blend of classic choral works by renowned composers in the first half and an energetic mix of African and Afro-Pop rhythms in the second.
2025 National Tour schedule
- Sunday, 9 March, 18:00 – Die Geloofsentrum Universitas, Bloemfontein
- Monday, 10 March, 18:00 – NG Groot Kerk, Graaff-Reinet
- Tuesday, 11 March, 19:00 – St Thomas Methodist Church, Plettenberg Bay
- Wednesday, 12 March, 19:00 – Stilbaai Gemeenskapsaal, Still Bay
- Thursday, 13 March, 19:00 – Stellenbosch Moederkerk, Stellenbosch
- Friday, 14 March, 18:00 – Rustenburg Girls' High School, Cape Town
- Saturday, 15 March, 17:00 – New Apostolic Church SA, Silvertown Auditorium, Cape Town
- Monday, 17 March, 18:00 – Umdoni Retirement Village, Pennington, KZN South Coast
Tickets are now available at https://dbchoir.com/bookings. Given the choir's popularity, early booking is strongly recommended.
"This year's tour is about more than just music – it's about connecting communities across South Africa," says Bekker. "From Bloemfontein to the KZN South Coast, we're excited to share our love for music with audiences from all walks of life. Music is not just what we do – Music is our Ministry. It's a tool to build character, resilience, and hope in our boys and the audiences we perform for."
The Drakensberg Boys Choir has an impressive history of international tours, having performed in over 30 countries worldwide, including Austria, Japan, the United States, and the Vatican, where they performed for Pope John Paul II in 1983. In 2024, the choir toured England, where they had British royalty, giving standing ovations when HRH Princess Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, attended the concert at Wells Cathedral. The choir also performed at iconic UK venues such as Southwark Cathedral, Oxford University's New College and St Paul's Knightsbridge, where they performed alongside Innocent Masuku, an operatic tenor and Britain's Got Talent sensation. The choir's most recent album, "Stimela", won the Best Adult Contemporary Album at the South African Music Awards (SAMAs) in 2024, reaffirming their status as one of South Africa's most treasured cultural assets.
More than a music school
Founded in 1967, the Drakensberg Boys Choir School prepares boys for life and leadership through excellence in music, academics, sport, and social enrichment in a Christian environment. The school is home to around 65 boys from Grade 4 to Grade 9, selected through nationwide auditions. These boys participate in daily choir rehearsals and a rigorous academic curriculum that includes Mathematics, English, Business Economics, Natural Sciences, IT, and more. Many alumni go on to attend some of South Africa's most prestigious schools, with DBCS graduates excelling in fields as diverse as music, business, and sports.
"Our internationally acclaimed curriculum combines the art of choral singing with strong academics and sport," Bekker explains. "We're proud to see our boys leaving as well-rounded young men, equipped to face the challenges of high school and beyond. Touring is crucial to their development as it teaches resilience, nurtures relationships, and gives them a platform to be global ambassadors for South Africa."
After each National Tour concert, boys interested in joining the prestigious choir will have the opportunity to audition. This is a rare chance for young, aspiring singers to become part of a globally recognized institution that blends musical excellence with personal development. "Our boys are ambassadors of hope. Whether they're performing in front of international royalty, at global festivals, or in small South African towns, their mission is the same – to inspire and uplift through music," Bekker concludes.
For more information about the 2025 National Tour or to purchase tickets, visit https://dbchoir.com/bookings. Follow the Drakensberg Boys Choir on social media for updates and behind-the-scenes content from the tour.
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