The Gugulethu Tenors

As we wait eagerly, getting our drinks and chatting, we can hear them getting ready. The audience take their seats and, as the Tenors step onto the stage suited up to the nines, I already know it's going to be everything I had hoped for. The most amazing thing is that they are not incredibly big men, but, wow, they have incredibly big voices. From the first note you're eyes are fixed on the stage and you're sitting at the very edge of your seat. There is no escaping the beauty in each one of their voices - it's what I call "goosebump" music, it takes hold of you somewhere deep within and has your heart racing from the word go.

By Jordan Scott

27 Jul 2011

Even when there were microphone problems they still held themselves well and carried on. It worked out well, nevertheless, because the audience got to hear what their voices sounded like naturally.

The group consists of four members: Mpendulo Yawa, Siyabulela Gqola, Xolani November and Loyiso Dlovawas. It was formed in 1991 when there was a vocal search competition in Athlone and the men realised that they were better as a team than competing against each other. They have never looked back. In 2008 they joined Five Seasons, which now manages them. Their favourite genre is gospel and you can understand why when you hear those voices hit the sweet notes.

They even got a little funky and sang the Pata Pata, which showed their fun side. They got down and boogied and everyone in the audience couldn't help but tap their feet along.

They sang in Italian, Spanish, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English, and they had many old favourites in their repertoire. Their eponymous CD is available on sale and is definitely worth buying. Check out their music video on YouTube. (www.youtube.com/watch?v=obFT0bGDKIU)

I have realised that there is far more talent in our country than we give credit for and I feel that it is time that we start finding out more about it and supporting it.