At The Wanderers Cricket Stadium in Johannesburg during the National Music Championships Emalahleni Field band was amongst the competitors performing with the theme “Dance in the darkness till the sun rise” .This is a theme with the message of hope as dancing need the energy and courage, darkness is associated with fear but through all this struggle the sun will be born and hope will conquer. Emalahleni was acknowledged as the first field band to be solely supported by the municipality, this is a milestone in favour of this small rural municipality to have been played a remarkable role in ensuring that youth development is taken serious and is at the centre of service delivery. This is not by luck but a well planned development which respond directly to the mission and the vision of Emalahleni.

Emalahleni field band performed satisfactory among the best of the best as they were the new comers among groups which were once competing on the premier level but due to the fact that the standards were too high up there and they decided to come down. At this music and dance extravaganza Emalahleni share a stage with groups like the Soweto Black Like Me from Soweto the biggest township in South Africa, Danielskuil in the Northern Cape, Thabazimbi and East London Field band to mention but few groups that performed on the first division championship as the competition was categorized in two categories the First Division Championships and the Premier Division Championships.

Emalahleni field band got the first position (Gold medal) on the small ensembles on the steel brass solo, on Marimba & Samba first position (Gold medals) and as the best brass they were awarded the silver trophy.