President Thabo Mbeki has congratulated the Soweto Gospel Choir for winning their second consecutive Grammy Award, saying they continue to do the nation proud.

 

The choir picked up a Grammy Award for Best Traditional World Music Album at the ceremony in Los Angeles on Sunday.

The 26 member group who won the Grammy for their album "African Spirit" were nominated along with four other international music acts. Mr Mbeki on Monday said the fact that the group has managed to win the Grammy for the second year in a row signalled the recognition of its contribution to the growth of the nation"s cultural capital. They will be doing a performance at the Union Buildings in Pretoria before they leave on an Australian tour.

AIRCO congratulates the group on their achievement and thanks the Grammy Awards for recognising and acknowledging South Africa's growing impact on the global music industry with this Award.