Pretoria Youth Choir Wins International Gold for ELECTRIFYING Performance!

Photo Credit: UP Youth Choir

Mzansi’s world-class choir talent just gave a goosebumps-worthy festive performance in Prague and scooped gold for it! We are so proud to be South African.

Pretoria, South Africa (09 December 2025) – The University of Pretoria’s Youth Choir (UPYC) recently competed at the Prague Advent and Christmas Choral Festival in Europe and won gold for their proudly South African performance!

They took top place in their category for Mixed Youth Choir and were awarded a special jury prize for Vocal Culture. Overall, they claimed the greatest title as Absolute Winner at the international festive choral event!

“We had an amazing day at the Christmas markets, participated in communal singing and at the end of the day…….UPYC was awarded Grand Prix, overall winners of the 33rd International choral competition.” shares the choir’s visionary conductor, Lhente Mari Pitout.

We are so proud, not only of our talented UPYC voices bringing home gold, but in how they so gracefully carried the spirit of South Africa in their award-winning performance.

They gave a global panel of judges goosebumps, and now they’re bringing that win back for Christmas.

The esteemed Lhente Mari Pitout led the choir in their performance and is currently touring Europe with the UPYC. Under her phenomenal leadership the choir has become one of the most celebrated youth ensembles in South Africa.

After grabbing gold in Prague, the UPYC made a stop in Berlin for a visit to the South African embassy.

“The University of Pretoria Youth Choir paid a visit to the South African Embassy in Berlin. Deputy Head of Mission, Mr Andries Oosthuizen, welcomed and enlightened the 80 students about the German culture, economy and the bilateral relations between South Africa and Germany. Afterwards, the choir gave a sample of its musical talent and delighted the embassy staff with its beautiful voices and passionate performance.” shares the embassy.