"It’s about freedom," Mama Rose said, her voice filled with conviction. "It's about washing away your worries and finding joy, no matter how hard life gets. When we sing 'Oh Happy Day,' we aren't just performing. We are sharing our hope and our triumph with the world. You have that same joy inside you, my child. You just have to let it out."

Thandi had a voice that could stir the soul, but today, it felt trapped behind a wall of nerves. She looked at the faces of her fellow singers in the Soweto Gospel Choir. They wore their bright, traditional brightly colored attire, ready to bring joy to the world, but Thandi felt a heavy weight in her chest.

"Thandi, look at me," Mama Rose said softly. Thandi looked up, meeting the older woman's kind eyes. "This song isn't about getting every note perfect. It’s not about showing off. Do you know what this song is truly about?" Thandi shook her head.

"Oh happy day!" she belted out, her voice rich, powerful, and filled with an undeniable joy.

The director smiled and gave the cue. The music swelled once more. The choir began to sing, their voices lifting Thandi up.