The world-renowned private school in South Africa with only 120 learners, hidden in the mountains

·10 Aug 2026

The Drakensberg Boys Choir in Winterton is a world-renowned private school where every learner must sing to be accepted.

The school is located in Winterton, KwaZulu-Natal, a small farming town at the foot of the Drakensberg mountain range.

The school was founded in 1967 by choirmaster John Tungay, who managed the school’s property and operations with his family until 1981.

After this, the school’s operations were transferred to a board of directors, but Tungay’s original vision for the school remained.

He formed the school to combine rigorous academics with choral excellence, which it still strives to achieve today.

To be enrolled in the school, a boy must be willing and able to sing in the school’s choir, with the first step of the application process being a vocal audition.

The process also involves an interview with the headmaster, Hendrik Bekker, where the boy and his parents can ask questions about life at the school.

Due to the remoteness of the school grounds and the out-of-the-ordinary schooling structure, all learners are encouraged to board.

The school’s head of boarding, Lauren Dookey, said that boarding is preferred for learners, with day scholars only allowed if they agree to a full daily programme.

There are two boarding houses on the school’s property, Tungay House for learners in grades 4 to 6, and Griffin House for learners in grades 7 to 9.

The school follows an out-of-the-ordinary structure, with children allowed to join only from grade four and leaving in grade nine.

While this differs from many other schools in South Africa, it perfectly encapsulates the intermediate phase (grades 4-6) and senior phase (grades 7-9) as set out by the Department of Education.

Drakensberg Boys Choir is a private school which follows a CAPS-aligned curriculum that has been adapted to suit the school.

While academics are considered an essential part of the school, it describes itself as “first and foremost, a musical institution providing an education through choral music.”

The school also emphasises skills-based learning, which it considers a critical part of a child’s development.

School fees for the choir school sit between R194,000 and R243,000 per year, including boarding as the school prefers.

This works out to between R17,700 and R22,100 over eleven monthly payments, with prices going up with a child’s grade.

A world-renowned choir

The Drakensberg Boys Choir is well-known for its performances, which are held every Wednesday evening at the school grounds.

The choir also performs across the country, regularly taking part in national tours, particularly during events such as Christmas.

The choir also regularly performs at a variety of international and local events, adding depth to its performances and aiding in the musical education of the learners.

The school’s head of choral activity, Jacques Linde, said it is a unique institution, and noted that it is the only school in Africa which incorporates choral singing into its everyday routine.

“The repertoire, technical skill and artistry of our choristers show the depth of their passion and commitment,” he said in a statement on the school’s website.

“As singing ambassadors of South Africa, our choristers have had the privilege of sharing their voices on prestigious stages across the globe, carrying forward a tradition of excellence that has defined this choir for generations.”

“Over the years, the choir has performed at renowned international venues, representing South Africa with pride and showcasing the rich diversity of our musical heritage.”

The school’s travelling ensemble regularly performs in several of South Africa’s major cities, including carolling tours in December.

The school also ensures holistic education through its sports offerings, which include swimming, tennis, cricket, and soccer.

Along with these mainstream sports, the school offers what it describes as “adventure sports”, which include mountain biking, open-water swimming, horseback riding, and tubing.

It regularly offers learners the chance to compete both individually and in teams for out-of-school events, including the Midmar Mile, biathlons and triathlons.

“The Sports Department promotes a balanced life programme through healthy exercise and interaction with other learners and teams,” the school said on its website.