Get ready, Mzansi! Ndlovu Youth Choir is bringing the vibes with their 2025 tour

The Ndlovu Youth Choir, one of South Africa’s most loved music groups, is excited to announce their 2025 Heritage Tour. This high-energy show will celebrate South African music, dance, and unity, and will travel to communities across the country this September.

The choir comes from the small village of Moutse in Limpopo. They have performed all over the world — from Carnegie Hall in New York to the Berlin Philharmonie in Germany — and became famous on America’s Got Talent. Their unique African sound, powerful harmonies, and exciting performances have wowed audiences everywhere. They have worked with big names like P!nk and Kygo, partnered with Disney and Netflix, and helped raise over $5 million for UNICEF. Now, they are bringing their talent and passion back home to South Africa.

*The Ndlovu Youth Choir during one of their live performances in Cape Town. Picture: Instagram@Choirafrica*

Bringing world-class performances to the heart of local communities

The Heritage Tour, brought to you by Jacaranda FM, is more than just a music event — it’s a celebration of South Africa’s spirit. While the Ndlovu Youth Choir is known for sold-out shows in major cities, this tour takes things to the next level, with a special focus on smaller towns and communities that rarely get to experience large productions. For many fans, it will be the first time seeing the Choir’s world-class show live in their own hometown.

Speaking exclusively to Africa Jamz FM News, Ndlovu Youth Choir’s artistic director Ralf Schmitt talks about what it means to return to small South African towns for the Heritage tour.

“For us, this is a full-circle moment, as we started in a small village ourselves. It’s important for us to showcase the potential of young South Africans within rural communities, and that makes this tour a deeply meaningful opportunity to connect with our roots and our people. Many of these towns rarely host national tours, and we’re aiming to bring a world-class production to them—to celebrate South Africa, our heritage, the people, and the places that raised us,” said Schmitt.

*The Ndlovu Youth Choir sharing a moment with Prince William at the Earthshot Prize event. Picture: Instagram@Choirafrica*

Impact of the tour on young people in rural communities

Speaking further about the tour, Schmitt shares his hope that it will encourage young people in rural areas who see themselves reflected in the Ndlovu Youth Choir.

“It’s important for us to always remember that the choir represents what is possible, and our greatest hope is to inspire people to dream beyond their circumstances. It’s our responsibility to make sure they can see it and hear it. We also want to show that talent and hard work can take anyone from a village to the world stage. Just because you are born without opportunities doesn’t mean there are none—or that you are not capable of achieving something extraordinary. We also aim to spark pride, confidence, and a sense of possibility,” said Schmitt.

Honouring heritage while pushing creative boundaries

As their sound combines cultural tradition with a modern twist, Schmitt reflects on how the choir maintains a connection to their roots while embracing creativity.

“We deeply respect the traditional rhythms, harmonies, languages, genres, and styles that come from South Africa, and all we try to do is evolve them. I believe our sound is an evolution—we innovate, take songs, and add the latest a cappella or music technology to what’s shaping global sound, and infuse our genres with our unique flavour. I always say our music is marinated in isiZulu and slow-roasted in Limpopo. And of course, we sing in more than just isiZulu—we also sing in isiXhosa. In this show, we are going to be singing in all the South African official languages,” said Schmitt.

*The Ndlovu Youth Choir during their tour when they were set to perform at Carnegie Hall in New York. Picture: Instagram@Choirafrica*

What audiences can expect from a Ndlovu Youth Choir live performance

As the conversation unfolds, Schmitt offers a behind-the-scenes look at what audiences can look forward to during a Ndlovu Youth Choir live show.

“Audiences must bring their dancing shoes, because there’s going to be high energy, powerhouse vocals, and incredible choreography. It’s also an opportunity for people to feel proud of being South African, to reflect on where we’ve come from, and—hopefully—better understand one another as we move forward. We don’t just want to celebrate our heritage; we also aim to educate people about the many wonderful cultures and traditions we have in South Africa. The show will be a mix of South African songs, original music, and our global hits—reimagined and woven together with storytelling that will, we hope, inspire people and make them feel deeply proud,” said Schmitt.

*The Ndlovu Youth Choir beaming with smiles after their performance at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC. Picture: Instagram@Choirafrica*

The choir’s most surprising moment on this journey

Schmitt concludes the conversation by recalling the choir’s most unexpected milestone—from Limpopo to the stage of Carnegie Hall—and shares how those experiences are woven into the spirit of the Heritage Tour.

“In 2018, when I made the choir professional, it was because the guys kept using the word ‘chilling’—which meant they didn’t have jobs or prospects for further education. Like so many young people in South Africa, they were just sitting around with nothing to do. I thought, let’s take what we have, try to book a few gigs, and turn it into a youth job-creation project. Little did I know that just a year later, we would have a viral hit and be invited to perform on America’s Got Talent.

“Since then, it’s just been incredible. Last year, we received a five-minute standing ovation at Carnegie Hall, collaborated with global icons like P!nk and Kygo, recently did something with Myles Smith, and worked on numerous productions for Disney—including a live performance at the Epcot Center. There’s so much—I don’t want to go on a brag fest—but it’s amazing to see how our little village has grown into this. Where we are now is a dream come true. This tour is more than just a tour for us; it’s a chance to give back, and to show South Africans, young and old, what’s possible,” said Schmitt.