BY MFANUFIKILE KHATHWANE
MBABANE – The His Majesty’s Correctional Services (HMCS) Choir has brought immense pride to Eswatini after being crowned the Best Choir in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region at the prestigious Tiro Mpane Foundation National Choral Eisteddfod (TMFNCE), held recently in Sun City, South Africa.
Competing against some of the finest choral ensembles in Southern Africa, the HMCS Choir emerged victorious in the highly competitive Great Champions Category. The Eswatini ensemble secured first place with an outstanding score of 93.39 per cent, comfortably outperforming the Eastern Cape Police Choir, which scored 90.29 per cent, and Kopano Chorus, which finished third with 88.37 per cent.
The competition attracted elite choirs from across South Africa, Lesotho, Zimbabwe and Botswana, making the HMCS Choir’s achievement a significant regional milestone. Their commanding victory underscored Eswatini’s growing reputation for excellence in choral music and demonstrated the nation’s ability to compete — and excel — on major international platforms.
The choir’s winning performance featured Gioachino Rossini’s Petite Messe, specifically the Gloria and Cum Sancto Spiritu. Judges and audiences alike were captivated by the choir’s vocal precision, disciplined execution and rich harmonic balance. The performance reflected months of intense rehearsal, technical refinement and collective commitment by the singers and their leadership team.
Senior Superintendent Mandla Sibiya praised the choir members for their dedication, discipline and professionalism, noting that their success was the result of sustained hard work and unwavering focus. He also expressed heartfelt appreciation to Commissioner General LaMakhosini Phindile Dlamini for her continued support of the choir. According to Sibiya, the Commissioner General’s encouragement and belief in the ensemble were instrumental in enabling the group to participate in international competitions and showcase their talent beyond Eswatini’s borders.
Choir conductor Maestro Melisizwe Sibusiso Zwane described the victory as a powerful symbol of resilience, unity and the transformative power of music. He said the achievement went beyond winning a trophy, representing the ability of music to inspire, heal and elevate individuals regardless of their professional background. Zwane emphasised that the choir’s success illustrates excellence beyond uniform and duty, highlighting the human spirit, creativity and discipline that music nurtures.
“This achievement shows what is possible when passion, teamwork and discipline come together,” Zwane said. “It is a reminder that correctional services officers are not defined solely by their work, but also by their talents, aspirations and commitment to excellence.”
The historic win firmly cements the HMCS Choir’s status as a regional choral powerhouse. It also serves as a source of inspiration to other institutions and young musicians across Eswatini, demonstrating that with dedication and support, local talent can rise to international acclaim.
As the HMCS Choir returns home with the coveted title, their triumph stands as a testament to national pride, cultural excellence and the unifying power of music in showcasing Eswatini’s talent on the global stage.
