Drivers are used to being frustrated by traffic jams on Hill Street, but last week traffic came to a standstill as the Rhodes Chamber Choir entertained passersby with song.

The audience listened to the enthusiastic choir perform a mixture of traditional Zulu songs and Tswana hymns which had almost everybody singing and dancing along. The vibrant audience attracted motorists causing a traffic jam along the street.

“The music is good, listening to them makes one forget about all the stress you might be having,” said Mary Dambuza who was part of the audience.

The black-clad choir performed for 30 minutes, captivating the crowd with refrains such as, “Zum, Zum, Zum, Jesus, Jesus, Jesus”.

This performance introduced and launched the choir’s 2010 tour to be held in the Eastern Cape on 28 August. The choir was founded in 1953, making it the oldest university chamber choir in the country.

It was established to provide students from all faculties and backgrounds an opportunity to participate in and enjoy choral music.

John  McGuiness, the choir conductor said, “We go around South Africa every year but this year we are focusing on the Eastern Cape because we haven’t done a tour here in a while.”

He said that tickets for the performances will be sold for R15 at the Rhodes Music department. They have been selling raffle ticket for R5 as part of raising funds for the tour, and the winner will receive “an enormous chocolate hamper”.

“We sing a variety of songs ranging from ancient, modern and African,” said choir member,  Sithembile Xeketswane. The choir will perform in Grahamstown on 4 September.