News / UWE Bristol
Bristol families urged to ‘open hearts and homes’ to host touring choir
Families in Bristol and the surrounding areas are encouraged to host an international choir who will be travelling in Bristol next summer.
Project Zulu choir will return to Bristol after its success in 2023 which raised some vital funds for several educational projects in South Africa.
In May, a new batch of the choir, consisting of 20 children, aged 11 to 14, will embark on their first journey outside South Africa to visit Bristol. Accompanied by their teachers, they will spend three weeks touring the South West.
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During this time, they will perform traditional Zulu songs and dances in various venues, including concert halls, churches, schools, and bustling city centres.
Siyabonga, one of the members of Zulu Project choir busking in 2023 – photo credit Rachel Oakes
Project Zulu, an initiative run by UWE Bristol, has been partnering with South African township schools since 2012 to support educational development projects.
The Bristol-based team members from Project Zulu visited Jobstown Primary School in summer to witness the impact of the funds firsthand at the opening of a new multipurpose classroom.
Classroom overcrowding has been a significant issue in South Africa, but due to a funding boost from the choir project, the situation in a township school in South Africa has been improved.
Project Zulu choir tour across the South West last year was hailed a huge success due to the funds raised during the process.
The Bristol-based team members from Project Zulu visited Jobstown Primary School in summer to witness the impact of the funds firsthand at the opening of a new multipurpose classroom – photo: Project Zulu/UWE Bristol
In 2023, the choir performed at major venues, visited local schools, made media appearances, and busked in bustling city centres, including Bristol, Bath, and St David’s in Wales, raising an impressive £32,000, which has been used to construct new classrooms at two schools.
Next year will be no different with its offering a cornucopia of choral delights.
While in the UK, the choir and their teachers will live in pairs with local hosts who play a vital part in making the tour a success.
The trip is coordinated by the Project Zulu team at UWE Bristol. Kate Willis, project coordinator, said: “Welcoming the children and teachers into your home is a unique cultural and relational experience which creates memories and connections that can last a lifetime.
“Whether you’re an experienced host or embarking on the adventure for the first time, we’d love to hear from you. Our incredible choir couldn’t tour without your support.”
One local family involved with Project Zulu is Norman Muton and Bridget Robbins from Yate. Norman and Brdget heard about Project Zulu during their travels to South Africa.
Bridget said: “We love the country and love the people. So when we heard about the choir and the need for host families, it seemed like a really great idea.
“We were a little nervous the first time around, but within a few minutes of the children arriving at our home they were dancing to music, and it was as if they’d been here for months.”
In October 2023, Bridget and Norman met the families of some of the former Project Zulu choir members in South Africa – photo: Project Zulu/UWE Bristol
And many host families create long-lasting bonds with their guests. As for Norman and Bridget, they have been in touch with Asanda and Nkosikhona (2018) and Muhle and Siyabonga (2023) who previously stayed with them. In October 2023, the couple reunited with them in South Africa.
Norman added: “The house was full of laughter and noise. Wonderful noise – music, dancing, it was just joyful.
“The children are amazing; they’re away from home, they’re communicating in a second language with people they don’t know. Everything is different and yet they just embrace it all. It’s an incredible experience.”
Project Zulu choir members Muhle and Siyabonga toured Bristol in 2023 – photo: Project Zulu/UWE Bristol
To learn more about Project Zulu choir, visit www.projectzulu.org/choir-tours
All photos: Project Zulu/UWE Bristol
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