Team Mpumalanga are the best choir in the land after winning Mzansi Magic's Clash of the Choirs talent search on Sunday night, but it wasn't a road paved with melodious harmonies for the group.

Choirmaster JR has spoken about how viewers made it hard for them as underdogs.

"We had a point to prove because we knew that we were the underdogs. These kids were ridiculed every day, about being from where they are from, about the way they dressed and the way they spoke," said JR, a rapper.

He had to instil a winning mentality in them. "I put it in their minds that we would get through it and they should forget what people said about them. And that we are about the work and everybody is talented this year so there is nothing that separates them from the rest except the amount of work they were willing to put in."

They defeated Team Gauteng, led by singer Kelly Khumalo, and walked away with the R1-million prize money and R250000 for the SOS Children's Village.

The choir has decided to stay together and become a group.

Moments after their win group member Angela Sokhanyile said: "We don't know the name yet, but we are going to work together.

"We started off as underdogs. It was the greatest experience ever because we have been through so much. As my choirmaster always says, it takes 10% talent and 90% hard work. We are so happy that it showed and the viewers voted for us."

mashotol@sowetan.co.za