(Pictured
with Festival Director Njabulo Madlala (right) are prize-winners (from left)
Noluvunyiso Mpofu, Bongani Kubheka, Tembisile Twala, Sandile Sikhosana and
Nomsa Mpofu)
Njabulo Madlala, the acclaimed London-based
South African baritone, has announced the results of his second Amazi Omzansi
Africa National Singing Competition and workshops for Singers, the finals of
which were held at the Howard College UKZN in Durban on March 30, 2014.
First prize worth R10,000 was awarded to
baritone Bongani Kubheka from Newcastle, an opera student at the University of
Cape Town. Joint second prize winners of R5,000 each were sopranos Noluvunyiso
Mpofu (also a UCT student) and Tembisile Twala from Johannesburg. Baritone
Sandile Sikhosana (another UCT student) took third prize R3,000, Swazi tenor
Sibusiso Dlamini took fourth position R2,000 . Sibusiso, who has never had
formal singing tuition is an incredible talent who has completed high school but
needs help yet financially to take up studies. Soprano Nomsa Mpofu, also a UCT
graduate, along with tenors Kananelo Sehau and Khanyiso Gwenxane, won three
joint prizes of R1,000 each. All UCT winners study with baritone Patric Tikolo.
Following nationwide auditions, the
festival’s main event the workshops were held at the Playhouse Theatre from March
24 to 30 ending with the very popular singing competition. Amazwi Omzansi
Africa Festival Director Njabulo Madlala, current holder of the Standard Bank
Young Artist of the Year Award for Music, and an awardee of Britain’s
prestigious Kathleen Ferrier Memorial Prize, said he was greatly impressed with
the high standard of singing of this year’s young participants. He commended
their openness and the willingness to take on new information from workshop
leaders Violina Anguelov, Sipho Fubesi and Madlala himself.
Madlala said the event was made possible by
the support of its patrons, the Katherine Grice Award, Diemersfontein Wines
Excellence Out of Africa Trust, the Archer family, Mrs Harris, Opera Azuriales
Festival and other donations from individuals. Amazwi Omzansi Performing Arts
Festival is a music performance and educational initiative aimed at the
development of the youth of South Africa. Not only developing their singing but
also giving them skills and insights on how to run a successful business of
music.
The project runs intensive training
programs for young singers connecting highly talented young people who have a
particular talent and interest in music with leading artists in the music field
from around the world. The initiative was started by Njabulo Madlala with the
vision of giving back home, acting as a bridge creating connections through
music and the arts, to promote local, national and international
collaborations.
There is a particular focus on classical
music training and opera as South Africa has seen an incredible upsurge of
artists talented in this genre over the recent years but lack enough structures
and platforms that celebrate this talent. Plans are already in hand for the
next event to be held again in Durban. The organisation needs as much help as it
can get from the community of South Africa.
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