By Karabo Ntanzi
South African Opera singers adhered to Covid-19 lockdown regulations, which prevented them from performing in public. This situation compelled a London-based South African baritone, Njabulo Madlala, to initiate a ground-breaking ‘Online Voices of South Africa Opera Singing Competition’.
Contestants were requested to submit a one-minute video clip singing any opera song. The competition took place over four weeks, featuring a different voice every week. Madlala received over sixty entries from enthusiastic sopranos. The entrants were trimmed to fifteen finalists, whose videos were uploaded on Facebook.
Representing the Northern Cape Province, Charity Leburu from Kuruman and Theresa Mbatha from Kimberly were winners in the soprano category. The women accumulated over two thousand votes.
A week later, the Northern Cape Opera Society (NCOS) hosted a concert at the St. Cyprian Cathedral in Kimberley.
Technological difficulties did not dampen the spirit of the talented singers. The concert was supposed to be live-streamed but ended up being recorded and posted on social media platforms. The concert garnered a huge response, including an international audience, a major accomplishment for a Province known for its rich choral music culture.
The brave choristers who braved the cold weather and mesmerised the audience with their voices shared their life journey. The renowned Gideon Linde accompanied the music pieces.
Simphiwe Mfazwe
Cape Town-born and Kimberley bred 23-year old Simphiwe’s motto in life is “work on the future but don’t predict the future.” A third-year National Diploma in Music Vocal Art student from the University of Free State, a home cell leader and a motivational speaker who enjoys playing TV games. He also sings with the Northern Cape Choristers and the Cape Peninsula University of Technology. The youngster is coached and mentored by Puleng Jackals and Serame Thoabala.
He intends to relocate to Cape Town next year to study towards an honors degree in Music, “thereafter I want to finish my masters abroad,” he adds. Mfazwe said that he has learned, mastered, and speaks fluent German and Italian in preparation for his big move. “I’m currently studying French,” he added with a brimming smile.
Simphiwe enjoys varsity life and cannot wait for the pandemic to pass. He believes that wisdom has nothing to do with age and encourages people to work on their dreams. “Doors are open, you just have to knock,” said the tenor singer.
Kgalalelo Mofolo
“I am privileged to have musical parents,” said the petite soloist Kgalalelo Mofolo. A second-year Bachelor of Music student at the Northwest University (NWU), Potchefstroom campus.
Kgalalelo has been surrounded by music since birth. Her parents are members of a local choir. She is mentored and coached by legends in the industry, the late Reverend Bassie and his wife Puleng Jackals.
A soloist, who tried the violin in Grade six but left it to pursue choral music.
The St. Boniface High School matriculant plans to study Music Psychology in the future. She was teased and discouraged by teachers and classmates for wanting to become a musician.
Kgalalelo holds a National Diploma in Choral Conducting. She conducted the NWU Choir (PUK) in 2018 and 2019 for her practical exams. She assists with marketing the Serenades, another choir at NWU.
The soprano singer is also the founder of Dynamic Music Clinic, a non-profit organisation that teaches music theory to bridge the gap between school education and music grades.
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, she is attends classes online and finds it challenging because music is a vocal subject. Her daily routine includes voice warm-ups and a cup of warm lemon water first thing in the morning.
Monnapule Pholoane
He has been a member of the Northern Cape Theatre since its inception. Pholoane was discovered in 2012 by Nkosinathi Mkhila, a former choral music conductor. Puleng Jackals is his voice trainer.
In 2013, he worked at Pick Pay for three days and resigned to pursue music full time with the Diamond City Choristers.
Monnapule successfully auditioned for the 2015 academic year as a student at the NWU Potchefstroom campus. While at varsity, he joined the Amici Choir. However, he could not obtain satisfactory grades and dropped out of the university.
He is currently training as a tenor and wants to grow within the Northern Cape Theatre. He also assists various schools and churches with music.
Theresa Mbatha
Her musical talent was discovered and nurtured by Dimakatso Mashaba at St. Boniface High School. In 2007 she won the National Champion for Trio at the Tirisano Eistedfod. She holds a National Diploma in Music graduate from the University of Kwa-Zulu Natal Howard campus. Her vocal trainers were Mhlaba Buthelezi, Brownyn Fobeg and Phelelani Nomiya.
Theresa is a former conductor of New Boy at Drakensburg Boys Choir. Her achievements include winning a Diamond Award in the 2019 80KV Eistedfod, the highest order in this competition and performing in France as she says, ‘moving from a normal stage to a grand stage.’
The young lady is a skilled keyboard and marimba player. She teaches music theory at Early Childhood Development Centers to high school learners in Soweto. The 33-year old mother aspires to open a marimba center one day.
Mogapi Galeboe
Born and raised in Pampierstad, 30-year old Mogapi desired to be a Pianist but growing up in a village robbed him of this opportunity. However, he did not allow the circumstances to deter his dream. He came to Kimberley and met his mentor Gideon Linde. Galeboe lost his mom at the age of 16, and was raised by his aunt. He only studied until high school.
The self-taught soloist was motivated and assisted by friends to read music. He has been a choir conductor at the Sol Plaatje University since 2018. Galeboe also coaches and mentors church choirs.
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