Mrs Woods has been bursting all day to share Riebeek’s great news and is now in a position to let you all you know that Riebeek won the Woolworths Sing Dance Celebrate Competition held as part of the My School My Village My Planet initiative. The girls had entered with 100 other schools and performed a haunting rendition of Radio Active. When we were announced as being finalists, there was much googling and searching to find the competition’s videos. These videos were looked at over and over again. Our final entry was a tribute to Mandela featuring Asimbonanga and Black President with the inspiration being Nelson Mandela’s words: "It is music and dancing that makes me at peace with the world... and at peace with myself." It was clear that the girls in the group had a warmth and radiance that shone through when they performed. All at Riebeek were so proud of their organising, their creativity, their beautiful voices, their sense of register, gratitude and humility. Today, Mrs Woods was thrilled to receive a call to inform her that the girls have won the national competition. This means that the school will receive R100 000 (and a great sense of school spirit and pride). Mrs Woods commented that there has been so much excitement throughout the completion and that having to put it together during exam time was no small feat! (bear in mind, the first entry was during test week and the final entry during final exams!). What has been especially heartwarming has been seeing the school girls respond to the news. At an assembly when Mrs Woods announced we were in the finals, the hall erupted in applause. When the video was shown to the school, the girls were incredibly proud. Today when Mrs Woods told the Grade 11s in the hall after the exam of the win, the cheers could be heard throughout the school. Once the Grade 11s found the rest of the team, Mrs Woods viewed the girls racing down the corridor with a victory dance, tears and cheers. The girls are Carleen Braun, Yonela Mapela, Lilitha Mali, Ambesa Daniels, Thimna Hobongwana, Abongile Magidimesi, Phumela Kondile, Busisiwe Rooibaard, Simbulele Gosani , Lelethu Ntshangase.

The girls would like to thank Mrs Woods for all she has done for the group from support, encouragement, advice, prodding, arrangements to choreography and singing direction. The girls also thank Mrs Zietsmann, as the teacher in charge of the choir, who has moulded their singing careers with her camps and practices and taught them so much. The girls would also like to thank Mr Calitz for his valuable experience, tips, patience, kindness, support and facilitating. These are some of the comments of the girls:

Yonela Mapela: There were tense moments but we always found time for a joke even about those who fall off chairs. Moves messed up were not criticized but became a source of humour.

Lilitha Mali: I will never forget the stressful moments we have been through together trying to perfect those harmonies while sometimes stepping on each other’s toes.

Ambesa Daniels: Discords, stress, THE GREAT FALL – I realize now that it was all so worth it. THIS IS WHY WE SING!

Thimna Hobongwana: Although we were in process of writing assessment tests or exams through the two rounds, we were always very focused. It is so true that practice makes perfect.

Abongile Magidimesi: I am so grateful and so excited. This is a happy moment and I feel like singing and dancing … I am over the moon.

Phumela Kondile: Messing up the movements and trying to cover it up was fun!

Busisiwe Rooibaard: It is true what they say: music brings people together. I have made unbreakable bonds with the special ladies in this group.

Simbulele Gosani: I am speechless and totally overwhelmed. Focusing so much made us do crazy things and we got up to mischief. Wonderful memories were made.

Lelethu Ntshangase: Super excited. Riebeek College Rocks!