Quava Vocal GroupGet tickets About us
More than seventeen years since its founding, Quava remains committed to a journey of continued growth, artistic discovery and service.
What began as a community choir of eight singers has grown into an award-winning ensemble of nearly 70 choristers, blending traditional choral music with the vibrancy of Afro-jazz.
Founded by Sabelo Mthembu and Kgago Dhlamini
Established in 2009 by Sabelo Mthembu and Kgago Dhlamini, Quava Vocal Group began as a community choir with a shared love for music and a desire to create something meaningful through song.
Over the years, what began with just eight singers has grown into an ensemble of nearly 70 choristers, building a reputation for musical excellence, cultural expression and a distinctive choral sound.
At the heart of Quava is a commitment to celebrating the richness of music across cultures and traditions. Blending the depth of traditional choral music with the vibrancy of Afro-jazz, and drawing from both African and Western musical heritage, Quava embraces the diversity of its repertoire while remaining deeply connected to its South African identity.
Every performance is an opportunity to honour the music and challenge artistic boundaries while creating meaningful connections with audiences.
Yet Quava's story extends beyond the concert stage. Guided by its core values of God, Love and Excellence, the choir is committed to fostering belonging, nurturing its members, honouring its alumni and using music as a vehicle for service.
Through community outreach initiatives, Quava seeks to make a difference beyond the spaces in which it performs, recognising that the gift of music carries a responsibility to others.
As Quava continues to grow, its ambition is to build on the foundation laid in 2009 and shape a future that reaches far beyond its beginnings.
The choir aspires to expand its international presence, create opportunities for musicians, develop talent, preserve African musical heritage and contribute meaningfully to the future of choral music.
This is Quava Vocal Group: a living legacy, continually shaped by the voices that carry it forward.
Growth & awards
870
From eight founding singers to nearly seventy choristers, and gold on international stages.
Full timeline
Conductor spotlight
[ Musical Director · since 2026 ]
In July 2026 we presented Bokamoso: A Future Sound, our first concert under the musical direction of Sikhulule Cooper Mlokoti. Meaning “the future” in Sesotho, Bokamoso explored what it means to honour the legacy that brought us here while embracing new artistic possibilities.
Working with our Musical Director continues to shape our approach to rehearsals and performance, encouraging us to listen more closely to one another and to the music we share.
“A teacher at heart.”
Dr Merna Nicholas, chorister, in the Randburg Sun (July 2026)
The new chapter builds on the foundation laid by founder and former Musical Director Sabelo Mthembu, named Conductor of the Tournament at the Sing for Gold World Choral Cup in 2022.
Quava is made up of people who bring their own experiences, personalities and perspectives into the room. What connects us is the decision to keep showing up for something we care about.
Behind the polished performance are hours of listening, refining, questioning and trying again. We believe the details deserve just as much attention as the final result.
Choral music demands more than knowing your part. It asks you to listen beyond yourself, understand your place in the bigger picture and make deliberate choices about how a piece should live and breathe.
Outreach
For Quava, our work does not end when the final note is sung. As part of our outreach initiative, we visited Abraham Kriel Children's Home on 10 October 2026, spending time with 54 teenage girls.
Through the collection of toiletries, sharing food, singing together, conversation and prayer, we sought to create a space for connection, encouragement and care.
This initiative reflects our commitment to putting our values into practice. Guided by God, Love and Excellence, we continue to seek opportunities to serve our communities and use the gift of music to make a difference beyond the spaces in which we perform.
Gallery & media
There is an immediacy to live performance that cannot quite be recreated. Every note unfolds in real time.
Every show has its own story. Here is where some of them began.