By Nathan Kerdachi
Flashing lights, immersive acoustics and enchanting harmonies were some of the highlights from the SU Acapella competition finals on 17 August at the Endler Hall. After several standing ovations, and intense discussions amongst the judges, the winning teams were Francie Forte (Huis Francie van Zijl), Eiffelkoor (Dagbreek) and Metiekefields (Metanoia, Pieke and Goldfields) in the female, male and mixed categories respectively.
Dagbreek Residence, Eiffelkoor performing at SU Acapella Finals. Photo: Nathan Kerdachi
Behind the scenes, the show was organised and hosted by KUKO, the Stellenbosch University (SU) Students’ Representative Council’s (SRC) Arts & Culture Committee. In the opening speech of the night, KUKO’s 2026 chairperson, Ben Anderson, shared the immense student efforts put into the event. From the planning to TicketBee, a ticketing company founded by SU students, he emphasised the concept of “a team of students, working for students”.
KUKO’s aim is to not only show up at Molassasêr and the Palesa Theatre Festival, but “everything else in between”, expressed KUKO’s Opportunities liaison, Jan Rudolph-Britz.
Minerva Residence performing at SU Acapella Finals. Photo: Nathan Kerdachi
Die Matie asked an SU Acapella judge and Chairperson for the university’s choir, Jan Pretorius, on his views on acapella, and he described himself as “a big fan”. He stated the creativity and confidence required for it is so special, in combination with how it so masterfully “combines all aspects of the arts – not just music, but choreography, presentation and style as well”.
Pretorius added with the COVID-19 pandemic, “we had quite a bit of a knock”, with campus culture having changed and people not wanting to perform in group settings. But, he is “pleasantly surprised” on how quickly it is improving.
Each group’s 14 to 19 minute performance included a South African song, original composition, at least three South African languages and a new song for the finals specifically. For example, Metiekefields’s songs consisted of “Go The Distance”, “Klein Tambotieboom”, and their “Tickets and Tramlines medley”, for which they received a standing ovation.
Huis Francie van Zijl Residence, Francie Forte performing at SU Acapella Finals. Photo: Nathan Kerdachi
Soprano for Metiekefields and second-year BCom (Industrial Psychology) student, Su-Mae Sterley, stated her admiration for acapella. “I will never be able to describe the mixture of feelings to an outsider. The sounds and harmonies will remain in my heart forever.”
Sterley continued to say that her experience can be summarised in three words: teamwork, friendship and perseverance, with acapella helping to form a network of support and lifelong friendships.
Similarly, SU Acapella performer from Hippokrates Residence at the Tygerberg campus, Jade Cameron, said that acapella is something that helps her meet new people and “let loose”. She expressed that time management can be hard, but that it is important as a medical student.
