Whilst choirs from across the country filled the halls of the Moreleta Kerk with song, another kind of learning was taking place just beyond the stage. The Enriched Hub, introduced by the DBE as part of the annual National ABC Motsepe South African Schools Choral Eisteddfod (SASCE) Championship, ran from 30 June to 3 July 2026, providing learners with a space to engage with life skills and social issues once their performances were done.

Ms Dululu Hlatshaneni from the DBE’s Social Cohesion Directorate, who leads the initiative, explained that the Hub was created to give learners more than a stage. “We have decided to have the Enriched Hub so that we can give holistic development beyond music. Learners gain exposure to critical thinking, dialogue, and reflection, not just performance,” she said, noting that stakeholders had been brought in to enhance what learners already receive through the classroom curriculum.

Amongst the organisations present was the South African Local Government Association (SALGA), which ran a session called “My Local Government”. Facilitator, Mr Sandy Llangalala, led learners through discussions on the role of local government and the duties of ward councillors, describing the experience as empowering and stressing the importance of learners understanding early what to expect from community leaders and how they can, in turn, contribute to building their own communities.

Ms Philasande Mkuseli, an Attorney from the Equal Education Law Centre (EELC), explained that the organisation advocates for quality and equal education in South Africa, working to realise the rights guaranteed under Section 29 of the Constitution. At the Hub, its engagement focused on school-related Gender-Based Violence; femicide and bullying; and equipping learners with knowledge of their rights and responsibilities. The Centre guided learners on the practical steps they can take if they experience or witness such violence, empowering them to act and seek support.

Fibre Circle, a paper and packaging organisation in South Africa, used the Enriched Hub to connect environmental awareness with youth talent through its schools programme, Zithande Mzansi. Representative, Mr Dumisani Khumalo, highlighted that whilst learners may excel in choral music, they can also carry forward valuable lessons on recycling and environmental stewardship to their schools and communities. In addition, Fibre Circle’s collaboration with small businesses to collect school waste not only promotes sustainability but also creates jobs and supports livelihoods across the recycling industry, demonstrating how environmental responsibility can drive both social and economic impact.

Sponsors and partners, including Sanlam, FNB, the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, and The Presidency also lent their support to the Hub, reinforcing its role as a shared national effort to nurture learners holistically. Through the Enriched Hub, 2026 ABC Motsepe SASCE offered learners more than a platform to sing; it gave them a space to learn, question, and grow, proving that the Eisteddfod’s impact reaches far beyond the final note.