Thanda Choir has become the latest victim of artist exploitation, as revealed by Carte Blanche, which reported that the choir’s managers, Julio Teixeira and Luke Bernhadi, are allegedly underpaying the choir members and are struggling to survive as a result.
Thanda Choir is recognised as one of South Africa’s national beacons, a community-based youth choir established in 2023 in Makhaza, Khayelitsha, located in Cape Town. They have gained significant attention for their viral performances on social media, showcasing a blend of traditional and contemporary music. Although they are celebrated as a symbol of hope for underprivileged youth, they are currently confronting serious allegations of exploitation following an investigation conducted in April 2026. Initially reported by Carte Blanche in a report titled “Choir Captured”, it was alleged that members were severely underpaid, sometimes receiving as little as R400 for performances, while management charged up to R45,000, which has ignited a national outcry.
Recently, Claire Masiwa from Carte Blanche interviewed the managers of Thanda Choir, enquiring about the allocation of the funds. During the discussion, they stated that the revenue from choir performances is directed towards the organisation. When asked to disclose their financial records, they claimed to have signed a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) that prohibits them from sharing such information.
This situation has raised significant concerns and frustration as the prolonged exploitation of artists in South Africa continues to escalate.
One may remember that artists like Nomcebo Zikode, the Grammy Award-winning vocalist behind the international sensation “Jerusalema,” was involved in a protracted legal dispute with her previous record label, Open Mic Productions, as she asserted that she had not received compensation for the global success of Jerusalema, which debuted in 2019.
Addressing social media, public figure Andile Ncube, the South African television presenter, was one of the first to express his views, stating, “We are truly on our own.”
“Go to school, kids, sing, dance, and perform for your families for the love of it, not the system,” he posted on X.
