Six singers from the North West University’s (NWU’s) School of Music on the campus in Potchefstroom mesmerised the judges during the 6th Voices of South Africa International Opera Singing Competition that took place from 21 to 28 July in Cape Town.
Segomotso Shupinyaneng, Lebogang Polori, Yolisa Ngwexana, Stephen Schalkwyk, and alumni, Palesa Malieloa and Nombuso Ndlandla were among the top 25 students who were chosen from hundreds of applicants to participate in this competition.
This competition was a collaboration between the Voices of South African Trust, a non-profit organisation founded by internationally renowned singer Njabulo Mdlala, and Umculo, an organisation that aims to contribute to social change in South Africa through music. Umculo was founded by Shireley Apthrop and the Songmaker’s Guild in Cape Town, which promotes the performance of art songs in all languages.
The NWU singers competed in two categories; the Art Song category and the Opera category, sponsored by Dr Prince Sicelo Nkwanyana.
Nombuso, Stephen, Lebogang and Segomotso were selected as finalists for the Art Song category. Yolisa, Stephen, Segomotso, Palesa and Lebogang were all finalists in the overall Opera Category.
The final results were truly a feather in the School of Music’s cap. Lebogang walked away with the first prize and Segomotso with the third prize in the Opera category.
But this was not all. In the Art Song category Segomotso walked away as the winner, and Lebogang came second.
Not the end of the winning streak
The School of Music’s winning streak does not end here. On 12 and 13 August Lebogang Polori, Edwin Padosa, Lindiwe Lebakeng, Yolisa Ngwexana, Melusi Shandu and Samkelisiwe Sitshinga participated in the Mimi Coertse bursary competition, and out of the nine semi-finalists, six were from the NWU.
Three NWU students were chosen to sing in the finals and Lebogang showcased her excellence and was chosen as the recipient of the prestigious bursary.
On 17 August two alumni from the School of Music, Thembinkosi Magagula (a former student of Prof Santisa Viljoen) and Palesa Malieloa (a former student of dr Conroy Cupido), participated in the SAMRO Overseas Scholarships Competition for singers.
After being announced finalists in the Western Art music category, Palesa walked away with first place and Thembinkosi was announced the runner up.
Thembinkosi is currently studying at Zuyd University, Maastricht Conservatorium in the Netherlands, and Palesa at the Hochschule für Muzik und Tanz in Cologne, Germany.
“I am very proud of our students’ and alumni’s achievements,” says Prof Santisa Vijoen. “They are extremely dedicated and overcame numerous obstacles. I know they will continue to do well in the future.”
Lebogang Polori, Prof Santisa Viljoen and Segomotso Shupinyaneng
Lebogang Polori with Mimi Coertse
Yolisa Ngwexana and dr Conroy Cupido
Prof Santisa Viljoen with Thembinkosi Magagula
