Mandela meets Soweto Gospel Choir

Mandela has congratulated the Soweto Gospel choir for bringing their second Grammy award home

Former President Nelson Mandela has congratulated the Soweto Gospel Choir for bringing their second Grammy award home. Madiba met with the members of the choir at his home in Houghton, Johannesburg today.

The choir members presented him with the Grammy. They have described meeting him for the first time as overwhelming.

Speaking on behalf of the choir, Siphokazi Luzipho said: "We thank you for seeing us. We are here to show you what we brought back home and also to give you some of our CDs ... your presence blesses us”. The choir picked up a Grammy Award for Best Traditional World Music Album in February - beating other international musicians.

On his arrival, Mandela danced as the choir welcomed him with a song, walking hand-in-hand with an emotional Luzipho. The group smiled as they posed for pictures, with the gold Grammy award held alongside Mandela.

Luzipho said they were overwhelmed with joy because Mandela was their hero, adding that they had sung for him on his birthday two years ago. Speaking to journalists soon after parting from their hero she said: "I never thought I'd cry but his presence is so overwhelming. We are so humbled and excited ... I now have a blessing of touching his hand."

The choir has 52 members and was co-founded in 2002 by Beverly Bryer and David Mulovhedzi. - Additional reporting by Sapa