One of the country’s most beloved choirs lost its founder this week. John Tungay passed away on 22 March, leaving behind a legacy of almost six decades in music. One that the Drakies just honoured so beautifully.
Drakensberg, South Africa (25 March 2026) – On 22 March, the founder of the world-renowned Drakensberg Boys Choir School, Mr. John Tungay, passed away.
The school shared the unfortunate news with their community this week.
“It is with deep sadness that the Drakensberg Boys Choir School mourns the passing of our founder, Mr. John Tungay, on 22 March. As a community, we honour a visionary whose faith, courage, and conviction in the power of music gave rise to one of South Africa’s most cherished institutions.” it said.
In the early ’60s, John was a choirmaster at the Trinity Congregational Church. Around this time, he approached his parents, who owned a farm in the Cathkin Valley, with an idea. He wanted to turn it into a choir school.
A few short years later, the Drakensberg Boys Choir School flung open its farmhouse doors.
Now, the world-class institution in the valleys holds a torch that continues to light up the lives and the voices of thousands of young men with incredible talent.
“When establishing the school in 1967, Mr. Tungay planted more than a choir — he planted a mission grounded in ministry, excellence, and the shaping of young men for lives of purpose and service. From those humble beginnings grew an iconic South African institution whose influence has echoed across continents. Because of his vision, generations of Drakies have carried our music across the world as proud ambassadors of South Africa’s rich cultural heritage. His legacy extends far beyond the stage. The boys who leave our valley today — confident, principled, and compassionate — stand as living proof of the dream he dared to pursue nearly six decades ago.”
The Drakensberg Boys Choir is known and loved around the world. Boys who come to the valley to find their voices leave as young men. Shaped, says the school, to be confident, principled and compassionate.
Every one of them carries something of John Tungay’s original vision with them when they go.
“As we grieve, we also give thanks for a life so purposefully lived. The song of the Drakensberg Boys Choir — the harmony of discipline, joy, faith, and excellence — exists because he believed it could. We honour him, we remember him, and we commit to carrying his vision forward. To the Tungay family, we extend our heartfelt sympathy and prayers. May his legacy live on in every note sung and every life shaped by the school he founded. May the Lord bless his memory, and may his song continue in all of us.”
The choir has dedicated their moving rendition of Mzwandile Mabuza’s ‘Duduz’umoya Wami’ to Mr Tungay and his family. We’ve shared their moving tribute below.
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