Ndlovu Youth Choir performs for Elton John and brings a tear to his eyes

British pop icon Elton John is the latest international musician to be blown away by South Africa’s Ndlovu Youth Choir. Just last month Fleetwood Mac’s Stevie Nicks asked the Limpopo band if she could join them. And this week, Elton John was so moved by the youth choir’s rendition of one of his songs that he was moved to tears.

Ndlovu Youth Choir revealed on Friday that “this week we performed at a very special event for (Elton John AIDS Foundation).” They said “it was a special honour meeting and performing to @eltonjohn and his distinguished guests.”

The choir’s uber-talented conductor Ralf Schmitt said it had been a “great privilege” to perform to and meet with Elton John, “an icon of the music industry. One the greatest song writers and performers of all time.”

According to Bruce Forbes from the Dynamic Sound Factory, the feeling was mutual. “I can attest that the performance of ‘Circle of Life’ brought a tear to (Elton John’s) eyes!!” Bruce wrote on Ralf’s timeline. “Another epic moment my friend.”

One of the Ndlovu Youth Choir’s top fans said: “You continue to rise!! You are the pride of South Africa! Keep sharing your talents and your performances with the world! Viva, Ndlovu Youth Choir! ???”

Gauteng publicist Georg Knoke said: “Great things happen to good people like Ralf Schmitt! Whilst we’re struggling to keep the lights on – our South African ARTISTS are making us proud – overseas – like the Ndlovu Youth Choir and Pretty Yende (who will perform a solo for King Charles III’s coronation)! Similarly Daphne Kuhn keeps the doors open of the Theater on the Square – providing an amazing opportunity for artists to do what they do best – performing ?! And SADLY – all mentioned examples – and there are many more examples – receive NO FUNDING from our government – as far as I know!”

Elton John’s AIDS Foundation is a non-profit, on a mission to end the AIDS epidemic by 2030. This week, Elton John also announced extra funding for the people of Ukraine and repeated his promise that he and his Foundation will always do everything they can to fight AIDS in Ukraine.

WATCH Ndlovu Youth Choir’s cover of Circle of Life (composed by Elton John and Tim Rice)

This video is from four years ago. This week the choir had the privilege of performing the song live for Elton John.