THE colourful and sometimes troubled history of South Africa is being brought to the stage.

Umoja, which means spirit of togetherness, is a group of singers, dancers and musicians who are on a world tour. Until Saturday, they are at the Grand Opera House, in York.

Many of the cast are Christians and are being supported by the local Anglican community, including the Archbishop of York, Dr David Hope, who met them on their first night.

He praised their positive and passionate outlook, despite the experiences of many of the young performers who come from the township of Soweto, which suffered great hardship under apartheid.

Dr Hope said: "They are full of freshness, vibrancy and liveliness about life with a real sense of hope for the future which, in a sense, in our rather tired Western view, is a message we might take to heart."