MUSIC, MOURNING AND MEMORY AS CHOIR CONCERT HONOURS ALUMNUS TETE

The haunting loss of Mdantsane-born boxer Zolani Tete, who once belted out renditions as a chorister in the Buffalo City Campus (BCC) choir, cast a sombre shadow over a choir concert held at Walter Sisulu’s BCC Site.

Before voices filled the Potsdam site great hall in kuGompo with song, attendees fell silent in remembrance of Tete, whose life was tragically cut short in Mdantsane.

Tete was remembered not only for his connection to the community, but also as a chorister, having represented the BCC Choir in 2018 at the SATICA competition held in KwaZulu Natal.

The moment of silence brought a poignant dimension to a concert otherwise dedicated to the unifying and transformative power of music.

The event brought together choirs from across the Buffalo City Municipality to celebrate music, cultural diversity and unity. Held under the theme “Through Music, We Build a United Walter Sisulu”, the concert sought to demonstrate how music can foster social cohesion, strengthen relationships and create a sense of belonging.

For the university community, the tribute to Tete was particularly poignant.

His connection to choral music meant that his memory was woven naturally into an occasion dedicated to the very art form in which he participated.

The silence that preceded the singing offered a powerful reminder that music is not merely entertainment, but also a vessel for memory, mourning and collective healing.

As the choirs subsequently took to the stage, their performances carried an added significance - celebrating the bonds that music creates while remembering a member of the Mdantsane community whose life had been tragically cut short.

By Sisipho Qwenga