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Zulu children's choir performs across the West

Sammy Jenkins
BBC News, West of England
Sacha Bigwood
BBC News, Bristol
Carla Mabb The South African choir performing outside the M-shed in Bristol. Some have south african painted drums and are dancing.Carla Mabb
The choir will perform their finale at the Bristol Beacon on 5 June

A South African children's choir has been performing across the west of England as it takes part in a cultural exchange tour.

Made up of 20 school children from the Madadeni Township in South Africa, the choir is visiting the UK as part of Project Zulu, an initiative by the University of the West of England (UWE).

Raising funds for their schools back home, they have showcased their traditional Zulu song in a number of West Country locations, including a Bristol Bears game and in Bath and Bristol city centres.

Project leader, Ben Knight, said their final performance would take place at the Bristol Beacon on 5 June.

Carla Mabb The choir performing inside the stadium at the Bristol Bears game on Saturday. All are huddled together dancing.Carla Mabb
The choir performed at the Bristol Bears game on Saturday

Project Zulu arranges for choirs from South African townships to tour the UK every two years.

Mr Knight said UWE students studying professions such as teaching, engineering and occupational therapy were sent out to the township in South Africa annually to "spend a few weeks making valuable contributions to the educational life of schools in the township".

Then every two years a choir, made up of children from two partnership schools, are brought over to Bristol to spend three weeks performing and sharing their talent and culture.

"They've been busking, they've put on concerts," he said.

Carla Mabb A line of boys performing. All have their legs in the air and are performing in an outdoor grassy environment.Carla Mabb
Mr Knight said Project Zulu aims to bring people together

Mr Knight explained the tour aimed to raise money for the two schools involved.

"They are over here sharing their extraordinary talents and culture but also earning money to develop their educational opportunities back home," he said.

Carla Mabb The choir performing in Bath City Centre. They are performing outside the Roman Baths.Carla Mabb
The choir are raising money for the schools back home

He said this year, one school planned to use the money to develop solar energy and the other hoped to buy IT equipment.

"Every penny that is made goes directly back to their schools," he said.

"A little bit of your money goes a really long way in South Africa," he added.

Mr Knight said "right at the heart of the project" was a "desire to bring people who live a long way apart, and lead very different lives, together".

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