Ndlovu Youth Choir earns five-star reviews after Edinburgh Fringe debut

The Ndlovu Youth Choir has strengthened its reputation as one of South Africa’s leading arts exports after earning multiple five-star reviews during its debut at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

Performing A Celebration of Africa from 6 to 30 August at the city’s renowned Assembly Hall, the choir won praise from publications including The Scotsman, The List, One4Review, Edinburgh Festival and MiniTravellers.

Presented by South African promoter Showtime Management in association with Assembly, the production’s reception marked a significant achievement for the choir as first-time Fringe performers.

“Our first Edinburgh Fringe was an extraordinary experience for the Ndlovu Youth Choir, both on and off stage,” says founder and conductor Ralf Schmitt.

“We absolutely loved performing the show and, from the very beginning, the reaction from audiences was beyond anything we could have anticipated.”

Edinburgh audiences embrace the Ndlovu Youth Choir

Known for their energy, vocals and storytelling, the choir combines contemporary international music with South Africa’s cultural heritage.

Their global profile grew significantly through America’s Got Talent Season 14, where they became the first choir to reach the finals, followed by a second-place finish on America’s Got Talent: All-Stars.

In Edinburgh, audience members regularly waited after performances to meet the singers and tell them how deeply the show had moved them.

Some described the choir’s performance as the best they had seen at the Fringe, while others called it their favourite show of the 2026 festival.

For Schmitt, that emotional response was among the highlights of the experience.

“We came to Edinburgh wanting to share the spirit, energy and story of the Ndlovu Youth Choir with audiences from around the world,” he says. “To see people responding so emotionally to the music was incredibly rewarding.”

African favourites meet global classics

A Celebration of Africa brought together African favourites such as “Mbube (The Lion Sleeps Tonight)” with global classics including “Bohemian Rhapsody”, “Higher Love” and “Nessun Dorma”.

Each was presented through the choir’s distinctive sound and stage presence.

The show opened and closed with original compositions.

“The Calling” celebrates the potential of young Africans, while “We Will Rise” provides a finale centred on hope, resilience and the belief that a person’s beginnings do not have to determine their future.

Taking South African spirit onto Edinburgh’s streets

The Fringe experience extended beyond the Assembly Hall.

The young performers attended productions from Colombia and Australia, experiencing different performance styles and cultures while taking part in the festival’s international artistic exchange.

The choir also became a lively presence on Edinburgh’s streets, where members sang, danced and handed out flyers.

Their spontaneous performances regularly attracted crowds, with passers-by stopping to film, dance and interact with the singers.

One encounter even saw the choir serenade a bride after stumbling upon a wedding.

For the Ndlovu Youth Choir, Edinburgh became more than a festival appearance. It was an opportunity to share South African music and culture while connecting with performers and audiences from around the world.

Ndlovu Youth Choir heads to the Netherlands and London

The international journey isn’t over yet.

Following its Edinburgh Fringe debut, the Ndlovu Youth Choir will continue its international tour with performances in the Netherlands and London from 17 to 28 September.

After multiple five-star reviews and an enthusiastic reception in Edinburgh, the choir now takes A Celebration of Africa to its next international audiences.

Read Inbound SA online