When passion finds its voice: The GWF Choir strikes gold

For the Good Work Foundation Choir, their story has always been about the joy of music, the courage to step onto a stage, and the beautiful feeling of making something special together. On Thursday, 27 August 2026, that story reached a golden note.

The GWF Choir proudly walked away with a Gold at the Nelspruit Eisteddfod Theatre Choir Competition, after delivering a spirited performance of “Mahlalela” that had a crowd cheering and celebrating along with them in a standing ovation.

The GWF Choir was born in 2016, shortly after Ses’ Lerato Maile joined GWF in 2015. As the choir master and conductor, Lerato has been at the heart of the choir’s musical journey. 

The choir is made up of GWF staff members who share a genuine passion and love for music. Different people, different voices, different personalities, but when they sing, they become one.

For ses’ Lerato, that connection runs especially deep. Music isn’t simply something she loves; it is part of her. It can brighten a difficult day, bring people together and create moments that words sometimes cannot. Her words were simple, but full of feeling: 

“I am blessed.”

And what made the achievement even sweeter was that this was the choir’s first competition win. After years of performing and growing together, they had finally seen their hard work rewarded on a competitive stage. 

Behind every beautiful performance nobody sees. In the weeks leading to the competition, the choir practiced tirelessly around working hours, fitting rehearsals into already busy schedules. They had their responsibilities, their daily work and commitments complete. 

Long before the Gold medal, there were smaller stages, nervous beginnings and plenty of learning. One of the choir’s earliest memorable performances was at Kruger National Park in Skukuza. Those early performances helped the members become comfortable in front of an audience, understand how to work a stage and most importantly, find the confidence to let their voices be heard. Those experiences became part of the choir’s foundation.

Every performance has added a little more confidence and every song brought the choir closer together. Each audience taught them something new. And now they stepped onto the Nelspruit Eisteddfod stage with that experience behind them.

At GWF, the choir’s voice extends far beyond the stage. Every year, choir members perform at GWF graduations ceremonies, helping create memorable celebrations for graduates, their families and the wider community. 

Through their music, they help bring people together and strengthen the connection between GWF and the communities around it. There is something special about a group of people coming together to sing. For a few minutes, titles, departments and daily responsibilities disappear and what remains is harmony. 

The GWF choir is made up of staff members from across our Digital Learning Campuses, each bringing their own voice and personality to the group:

Huntington:Mathebula Nomthandazo, Ndlovu Tumelo, Hlatswayo Ally, Khoza Komodo, Zitha Tronic, Mkasi Kulani, and Mashele Farga.

Lillydale: Thobela Phindile, Mashele Tinyiko, Nquma Thembi, Nxumalo Sithini, Mashele Sibekezelo and Mathobela Alex. 

Dumphries: Mdluli Thulile, Mathonsi Floyd, Mnisi Adronica and Sibuyi Joy.

Justicia: Masilela Rose, Ndlovu Mbongeni, Mashaba Roman, Ngobeni Cairo and Khumalo Rakkie. 

Hazyview: Ndlovu Faith, Shayi Neltah, Mkhabele Clemecia, Mashele Innocent, Chilwane Agreement, Machete Katlego, Shakwane Nthabiseng and Lerato Maile. 

The Gold award may be a milestone, but the GWF choir isn’t ready for the music to stop. Looking towards 2027, the choir hopes for more opportunities to compete, more stages to perform on and, of cause, more wins. Because all we do is win, win, win, no matter what!

They also dream of having funds to invest in equipment such as shakers and other musical resources that can help take their performances to the next level. But if their journey so far is anything to go by, the future is promising. 

From their first performances in Skukuza to a standing-ovation moment in Nelspruit, the GWF choir has shown what happens when people bring their whole hearts to something they love. They sing with passion. They perform with confidence.  They celebrate together. 

And now, they have Gold to show for it. 

Congratulations to ses’ Lerato Maile and every member of the GWF choir. May this be the first of many golden chapters. Keep shining, keep singing and keep making beautiful music.