We are incredibly proud of Mr Sidumo Nyamezele, Head of African Music at St John’s College and Music Director of Mzansi Youth Choir, who has earned the first-ever group golden buzzer award on America’s Got Talent!
The Mzansi Youth Choir performed the cover song "It's OK" by Nightbird, a former contestant who died of cancer in 2022. This beautiful tribute won the hearts of the judges and audience alike, earning them the first-ever group golden buzzer in the show’s history. Their performance brought Simon Cowell to tears as he and fellow judges Howie Mandel, Heidi Klum and Sofia Vergara, with host Terry Crews in the wings and the audience representative, reached for their golden buzzers simultaneously.
“When we were first introduced to the song and its story, we never in our wildest dreams thought that recording and uploading it to YouTube would take us to the global stage! We were simply inspired by the Nightbird’s story and her uplifting message of resilience in the face of adversity,” said Nyamezele. The America’s Got Talent agents discovered the cover version of the song on YouTube and invited them to the USA to audition.
Nyamezele travelled to the US with the choir to watch their performance live. “Watching them brought tears to my eyes. They took their performance to a whole new level!”
Earning the group golden buzzer has automatically advanced the choir to the semi-finals in August.
Congratulations to Sidumo Nyamezele and the Mzansi Youth Choir. You flew the Mzansi flag high, and we are rooting for you!