The DBE’s Sport and Enrichment in Education Directorate is determined to host a successful edition of the 2026 ABC Motsepe South African School Choral Eisteddfod (SASCE) Championship from school up to national level. SASCE is the DBE’s School Enrichment programme aimed at promoting unity in diversity, national reconciliation, positive values, a democratic South African national identity, social transformation, social cohesion and mass participation amongst learners. SASCE affords learners an opportunity to showcase their musical talent in various genres. The programme contributes immensely towards the goals set out in the Action Plan to 2019 towards Schooling 2030, and to promote learner attendance and retention in particular.

The Directorate has already conducted the Train the Trainer Workshop targeted at provincial music professionals who are always at the centre of the Championship including adjudicators, data capturers, artistic committee members, and cultural specialists. The workshop took place at Hoyohoyo Chartwell Lodge in Four Ways from 24-28 January 2026 and was followed by the National Coordinating Committees’ meeting. The Committee remains a key structure overseeing the entire administration of SASCE annually. The music professionals are mandated to conduct training sessions with conductors, choirs and soloists in their respective provinces in preparation for the national championship. As part of the workshop the music professionals were expected to review the prescribed music syllabus to ensure uniformity across all nine provinces. 

Speaking during the workshop proceeding, Ms Jeanette Zungu, SASCE Project Manager said that it was befitting for the Directorate to conduct the workshop to revisit the prescribed music syllabus. “In the next coming weeks, over 900 professionals across all nine provinces will be capacitated on the 2026 prescribed music syllabus. All key stakeholders and participants should benefit from the workshop. We intend to see adjudicators and conductors having the same understanding about the prescribed music syllabus. Henceforth, there should be a document with analysis of the prescribed music syllabus to be used as a guideline in all SASCE categories. A similar document should be consolidated for prescribed cultures through which folklore category is adjudicated. This undertaking will play a vital role in improving the standard of the Championship,” highlighted Ms Zungu.

Director for Sport and Enrichment in Education, Mr Given Mabena, acknowledged the efforts from provincial coordinators in identifying highly qualified music professionals to work with the DBE in sustaining SASCE: “The championship is a vital tool needed to showcase young musical talent in the Basic Education Sector. We therefore value all your input and insights shared during this workshop, and we are hopeful that the 2026 Championship will be improved significantly,” he added.