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EVENTS AND ACHIEVEMENTS OF DRAKONDALE

High School for Boys and Girls from grade 8-12

Our Founding Members: Mr. John Tungay, Mrs. Paula Tungay and Mrs. Wendy Clarke had a vision to create a school that embraced both academic and artistic excellence, set in the beautiful KZN Midlands.

In January 2017 this dream became a reality with our first intake of learners who became the cornerstone of our still growing school.

Although small and in its infancy these Drakondale girls took top honours in the Children's section of the World Choir Games in 2018. Since then Drakondale School has grown from strength to strength and, by popular demand is now co-ed and has become the hub for the development of arts in all its forms: Visual Arts, Music Studies, Dramatic Arts and Dance Studies.

2017

  • Performed three songs on the album “Songs That Made Us Free – The Liberation Project. Released by EMI.
  • Performed at the “Festival in the Hills” with Ladysmith Black Mambazo in Hillcrest.

2018

  • March 2018 girls undertook a teambuilding exercise with Unilever, incorporating music and choreography, Conductor: Mrs. Judith Hawthorne
  • March 2018 Pietermaritzburg Music Eisteddfod, Conductor: Mrs. Judith Hawthorne
  • April 2018 dancers performed with the Lisa Jennings School of Dance.
  • May 2018 girls performed at the Queensburgh Eisteddfod, Conductor: Mrs. Judith Hawthorne
  • July 2018 World Choir Games Champions. Won 1 x Gold and 2 x Silver Medals.  Conductor: Mrs. Ronel Perks.
  • August 2018 first live recording of an album with Don Clarke. Conductor: Mr. B. Gresse
  • August 2018 Performed at Amber Valley. A medley of songs. Conductor: Mr. B. Gresse
  • November 2018 Performed the theme song “Till You’re Free Again” (written by Don Clarke) at the premier of the Leon Schuster movie “Frank & Fearless”
  • November 2018 Performed “Frequency” and “Beth” on the ridge at Sani Pass with Jack Mantis ( as part of an international music documentary “The Sailing Conductors – Blown Away”. This documentary has been entered into the Ocean Film Festival.
  • December 2018 performed at the Pietermaritzburg City Hall with five time Grammy Award winners Ladysmith Black Mambazo for an “African Christmas”. Conductor: Mr. B. Gresse
  • December 2018: Performed “A Ceremony of Carols” at Trinity Cathedral, Cascades Lifestyle Centre and Red Acres. Conductor: Mr. B. Gresse  
  • Dec 2018 The song “Till You’re Free Again” went on to win the 20TH Annual Great American Song Contest, Song of the Year, due to its environmentally friendly message.

2019

  • March 2019 Performed at “Music in The Park” with Jack Mantis, Don Clarke, Dave Knowles and Ard Matthews. Conductor: Mr. B. Gresse
  • March 2019 was asked by Environmentalist John Varty to perform the song “The Matriarch” (written by Don Clarke) for the opening of the National Transfrontier Park.
  • April 2019 Performed “Songs of Inspiration” with the PAMS (Pietermaritzburg Amateur Music Society) at the Garrison Church, Pietermaritzburg. Conductor: Mr. B. Gresse
  • May 2019 Participated in the Choral Elite held at Michaelhouse for local choral choirs. Conductor: Mr. B. Gresse
  • May 2019 Participated in the “Autumn Soiree” held at Drakondale GCS. Celebration of Music, Dance, and Dramatic Arts. Conductor: Mr. B. Gresse
  • June 2019 Guest performers with Ladysmith Black Mambazo at the “Cothoza Music Awards Ceremony” at the Durban Playhouse. Conductor: MR. B. Gresse
  • June 2019 Guest artists at the Youth Summit – Nelson Mandela Capture Site.  Conductor: Mr. B. Gresse
  • June 2019 Guest artists at the Gandhi Day Memorial – PMB Railway Station. Conductor: Mr. B. Gresse
  • July 2019: Autumn Soiree – Drakondale GCS - Conductor: Mr. B. Gresse
  • August 2019 : High Tea – Drakondale GCS - Conductor: Mr. B. Gresse
  • August 2019: Performed with Leon Schuster and the Michaelhouse Choir for the Rugby World Cup in Japan - Hey Bokke written by Don Clarke
  • August 2019: Performed with PAMS “Feel the Spirit” Concert – Cordwalles Prep School.
  • August 2019 Performed with PAMS “Feel the Spirit” Concert – Drakondale GCS
  • November 2019 performed with PAMS “Handels Messiah” - Conductor: Mr. B. Gresse
  • December 2019 performed at Piggly Wiggly (Christmas Carols) - Conductor: Mr. B. Gresse

2020

  • September 2020 Requested by the Indian Consulate General of India to perform “Vaishnava Jana To” to celebrate 150 years of Mahatma Gandhi’s birthday - Conductor: Mr. B. Gresse
  • October 2020 performed at the re-launch of KZN Tourism (PMB Airstrip) - Conductor: Mr. B. Gresse

2021

  • Performed at the June 2021 opening of the ASSOCIATED COUNTRY WOMAN OF THE WORLD CONGRESS at Fernhill Hotel, KZN Midlands - Conductor: Mr. B. Gresse.
  • Requested to perform the opening and closing songs (16 June 2021) during a webinar session for the launch of the “DAY OF THE AFRICAN CHILD” hosted by the UNESCO.
  • Christmas Performances at Drakondale School, Amber Valley and Amber Glen – Conductor: Mr. B. Gresse.

2022

  • August 2022 performed at Michaelhouse for the Choral Celebration Festival.
  • May 2022 performed in the Music Magnificent at Howick Prep School.   

2023

  • April 2023 performed together with the Lady Grey Arts Academy for their 20th Celebration of the passion of the Christ in the EC Province.
  • May 2023 performed in the Music Magnificent at Howick Prep School.
  • Aug 2023 Annual Mad Hatters Tea Party.
  • Oct 2023 performed as the opening act at the Kgalema Motlanthe Foundation Drakensberg Inclusive Growth Forum.
  • Dec 2023 Christmas Programme

2024

  • April 2024 Establishment of our First Annual Arts Eisteddfod. Participating Schools included:
    o Howick Prep
    o Grace College
    o GHS
    o Pietermaritzburg Boys
    o Laddsworth
    o Cowan House
  • July 2024 Performed at the Laddsworth Choir Evening
  • August 2024 Performed for the Howick Seniors Club
  • August 2024 Performed for Howick Hospice Remembrance Day event.
  • October 2024 Invited back to performed as the opening act at the Kgalema Motlanthe Foundation Drakensberg Inclusive Growth Forum. Letter from Mrs. Gugu Motlanthe attached.
  • December 2024 Christmas Programme

2025

  • May 2025 - Participated in the WORLD LYRICAL DANCE FEDERATION Competition.
    Our dancers won every category in the contemporary SOLO AND GROUP DANCES that they competed in. Invited to represent SA in Belgium in June / July 2026.
  • June 2025 – 1st major drama production hosted by DRAKONDALE SOA and MAKHUBALO THE STORYTELLER, titled Buhle and The Singing Tree was staged at The Old Mushroom Farm.
  • 22-25 July Annual Arts Eisteddfod.
  • 24 July 2025 – Invited to open the GALA DINNER for the UKZN GRASSLANDS PROJECT at ANEW Hotel in Hilton.
  • August 2025 – Invited to perform at the Epworth LiveArt Dance Company EXPERI DANCE 25.
  • August 2025 – Dancers participating in DanceWaves World Dance Competition – Hilton College
  • August 2025 - HILTON ARTS FESTIVAL: FLASHMOB
  • September 2025 – Qualified for Nationals DanceWaves World Dance Competition – Sasolburg
  • September 2025 – Prestige Evening: Is a celebration of the four art forms. End of term showcase, is a celebration of our learners talent from Jan to current 2025. It is a celebration of traditions and serves as a farewell to our graduating class of 2025.

2026

  • May 2026 - Invited to perform at the FUNK PROGRAMME 2026 at St. Anne's Diocesan College. Dance departments from independent schools are invited to perform.
  • September 2026 – Participated and performed at the 25th anniversary of the Nozincwadi Literacy Campaign (established in 2001) and the 18th annual Nozincwadi Storytelling Festival (established in 2008), held at the Nelson Mandela Capture Site for World Literacy Day.
  • September 2026 – invited to participate in the finals of the Umgungundlovu District Financial Literacy Speech Competition. Our learners placed 2nd and 3rd Position.
  • September 2026 - invited to receive the Ethos Schools recognition for its commitment to ethics, integrity and educational values. Ethos Schools is an initiative of the PCU Committee of Panathlon International, established in 1951 and recognised by the International Olympic Committee since 1982 for its work in the field of ethics.
  • October 2026 – Participating in the “VIBE IN PRAISE” Gospel Dance Competition. Won 1st prize.

Drakondale School of the Arts is a High School for Boys and Girls from grade 8-12

Get in touch to make an application today.