How the festival grew
The first note
Mr Japie Cloete establishes the eisteddfod as the Tygerberg Northern Suburbs Eisteddfod — a platform for the young people of the northern suburbs to perform, be heard and be adjudicated.
Tygerberg Eisteddfod
The festival outgrows its name and becomes simply the Tygerberg Eisteddfod, its disciplines multiplying as schools across the region join in.
Going international
It is decided to open participation beyond our borders — and the festival is renamed the Tygerberg International Eisteddfod (TIE), welcoming overseas entrants.
The 70th — and Jabulani
A competition is launched to name the 70th-anniversary festivities. The winner: Ms Rut Prinsloo, a teacher at Jan Kriel School, with Jabulani — isiZulu for “rejoice”. The word has many lives: a first name, a Soweto suburb, a PJ Powers song, and the Adidas ball of the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
79 years — a full syllabus
The eisteddfod returns to a full 2026 syllabus: thirteen disciplines, professional adjudication, art and photography exhibitions, and the champions' final.
A promise to every child
The emblem of the Tygerberg International Eisteddfod represents the conservative cultural development of the child, to assist him or her on the road to cultural maturity.
It is why we adjudicate rather than merely applaud — every performance is a step in that journey, every certificate a milestone.
TIE remains proudly bilingual — official rules are published in English and Afrikaans (Algemene Inligting & Reëls).
Committee & convenors
Each section of the syllabus is tended by a convenor — a specialist who shapes entries, timetables and adjudication for their discipline. The TIE committee and office bearers are announced annually.
The committee
Volunteers who keep a 79-year tradition running — from the syllabus to the final concert.
TIE Committee 2026Convenors
Piano, recorder, drum kit, handwriting, public speaking and keyboard convenors lead their sections — with more introduced each season.
Meet them on the Participate pageAdjudicators
Professional musicians, actors, writers and artists whose written feedback shapes every young performer's next season.
Professional adjudicationBecome part of the story.
Affiliate your school, enter a learner, or join the audience.