Well-known and popular singer, Pinkie Mtshali died in Durban on July 8, 2020. She had a heart condition which may have been the cause of her death.
Born on September 11, 1969, in Umlazi, she studied opera at Natal Technikon (now Durban University of Technology), majoring in voice, after she matriculated in 1986. She went on to build an impressive career in music, achieving success in many fields. She performed with the KZNPO on a regular basis as well and was Chairlady of the fundraising committee for Durban Music School.
Friend and colleague, musician Nina Sugden, states: “Musicians in and around KZN should keep her legacy alive by sharing music through performance, nurturing and inspiring our youth and caring for others on a daily basis.”
The following tribute was written by her colleague and friend, opera singer and conductor, Rafael Vilakazi:
“It is with profound sadness and a heavy heart that I share with you the news that the versatile opera trained singer, Miss Pinkie Mtshali has passed on.
Pinkie Mtshali who hails from Umlazi is a well-known all-rounder singer who started her career as an Opera Singer and later found home in cabaret and Afro-Jazz/pop music.
She has performed and understudied major and minor roles for different shows working from Opera, Musicals, Pop shows and Cabarets with local and international Conductors, Directors and Singers throughout the country and abroad.
She is the brain behind Durban Divas show - designing and sewing costumes, directing, staging and managing the group. After matriculation she enrolled at the Natal Technikon’s academy of music studying voice technique with Sandra de Villiers the Opera Africa’s CEO, winning the SAMRO and Durban Arts Bursaries. In 1991 she joined the NAPAC Opera Singers performing and understudying roles in no less than eight major stage productions.
In October 1992 she joined the CAPAB Opera Chorus in Cape Town for five years working with national and international Directors and Conductors whether in Opera, Concerts or Musicals, whilst there she won the Gwen Streichter Prize for voice study and studied with South Africa’s acclaimed Capetonian Opera singer, Virginia Davids.
From May 1996, Pinkie left CAPAB and started freelancing as an actress, singer, cabaret director and master of ceremonies. Pinkie has sung in most of this country’s music centres as well as a guest on SABC’S TV Shows and was nominated for a 1998 FNB Vita award for Best supporting actress in her role of Mrs Matshinga in Abba Maniacs, a show that toured South Africa for three years. She also featured at the international Durban Film festival where she acted several characters in a movie The Sunflower.
May Her Beautiful and Bubbly Soul Rest In Eternal Peace:”
More details on the funeral arrangements will be shared with colleagues and friends as they become available.”