SA’s Ndlovu Youth Choir set to honour Desmond Tutu in Atlanta

South Africa’s very own Ndlovu Youth Choir has arrived in the United States for a special tribute event planned for Archbishop Desmond Tutu.

The award-winning Ndlovu Youth Choir has jetted off to Atlanta, United States to pay tribute to Archbishop Desmond Tutu on Wednesday 28 September. The “Tutu Legacy Lives in Us” event is set to be hosted by the Archbishop Desmond Tutu Atlanta Tribute Committee to celebrate what would’ve been the Arch’s 91st birthday. 

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DESMOND TUTU TO BE HONOURED IN ATLANTA

According to the Atlanta Daily World, at the time of his passing, Desmond Tutu had a long standing history with Atlanta. The publication reports that Tutu persuaded Atlanta-based beverage company Coca-Cola to remove their assets from South Africa until the end of apartheid. 

Ahead of the Archbishop Desmond Tutu Atlanta Tribute Committee’s event on 28 September honouring Tutu, Atlanta mayor Andre Dickens said the Arch found a second home in Atlanta. 

“I could not think of a more fitting place outside of South Africa to honour the legacy of such an extraordinary man with an unwavering moral compass than right here in the Cradle of the Civil Rights Movement,” said Dickens. 

Retired Coca-Cola executive vice president, Carl Ware, said the Arch often brought different communities together. 

NDLOVU YOUTH CHOIR TO PAY TRIBUTE TO DESMOND TUTU

Taking to Facebook on Tuesday 27 September, the Ndlovu Youth Choir shared that they had touched down in Atlanta ahead of the Desmond Tutu tribute. The choir said they had visited the Morehouse College campus where Martin Luther King Jr had graduated from. 

“We also went by the Olympic Park, the CNN headquarters and we were excited to be reunited with our beloved Mam’ Felicia Mabuza Suttle,” wrote the choir.

“Can’t wait to see more of this exciting and historical city!”

Before boarding the flight from Johannesburg, the choir serenaded the OR Tambo International Airport with a special song. 

TAKE A LOOK

NDLOVU YOUTH CHOIR’S FIRST HEADLINE TOUR

In September, the choir kicked off their first-ever South African headline tour. The choir performed at Artscape in Cape Town and at Montecasino in Johannesburg. 

“These young, multi-talented singers are shining examples of how hope, determination and respect can thrive through unity,” said Showtime Management’s Tony Feldman.

By: Naledi de Wee