Keetmanshoop — "This platform will not only provide our youth with the much-needed international exposure, but also serves as a platform for education, learning and networking.

"The Riva Del Garda Choir competition, which will take place in Italy, is an international platform where choirs all over the world compete. The event aims at offering choral singing of best quality while celebrating a peaceful joining together of people with impressive chants all over the world.

"Forty five of our young people will be honoured to partake in this exciting yet challenging competition," said Salamon Kinda, conductor and founder of the group.

The Southern Youth Choir of Namibia (SYCN) comprises 145 talented young voices from high schools as well as out-of-school youth.

The group was established in 2005 with the aim to develop, promote and celebrate the diversity of young people through choral expression.

Also, to achieve reconciliation amongst youth through mutual respect, understanding, solidarity and discipline. Most importantly, to treasure and protect the cultural heritage, develop creative talent, employ skills and knowledge for economic development and the common good of youth.

Kinda, who is extremely keen on discipline and who mostly instilled a great sense of discipline into young choir members, says that the main challenge towards their performance in Italy is finances.

"Given costly travel, accommodation and logistical arrangements associated with international events such as the Riva Del Garde Choir Competition, it remains a challenge for the SYCN to secure participation.

"It would be sad if the choir's participation be hampered by lack of funding. Currently we are trying our best with fundraising; however, we still need a lot of money in order to secure our participation at the competition.

"The Namibian nation is a nation of progress and because SYCN is a progressive group, goodwill will come our way."

The SYCN has been performing at different platforms in Namibia as well as South Africa and because of their outstanding performances, they have been invited to perform on the international fora.

SYCN has also been invited to represent the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) at the 2010 Choir Olympics in China.