Prof Conroy Cupido’s musical journey has been nothing short of extraordinary, and his latest triumph at the kykNET Fiesta awards – often dubbed the "Oscars" of South Africa's arts festivals – in 2025 is another feather in his already illustrious cap. These awards are a ceremony that recognizes excellence in the performing and creative arts in South Africa and are presented to productions from the six largest Afrikaans arts festivals in the country .Originally from Cape Town, Prof Cupido became the first South African to earn a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in vocal performance and opera from the University of North Texas. Now the director of the North-West University (NWU) School of Music and Conservatory, his crowning moment came after musically directing a magnificent concert, Die Groot Finale (The Big Finale), at the Aardklop National Arts Festival.
The concert, a dazzling showcase of mostly opera works, featured the finest opera students of the NWU, all under Prof Cupido’s impeccable guidance as conductor of the opera ensemble. The performance was a proud display of the sheer talent nurtured at the School of Music, and it was not just the students shining on stage. A team of exceptional staff members, including Prof Tinus Botha, Ms Magda de Vries, Dr Antoinette Olivier and Mr Thomas Erlank, lent their expertise, creating a genuinely collaborative masterpiece. And to top it all, legendary South African singer Coenie de Villiers served as the charismatic emcee for the evening.
Though this was Prof Cupido’s third nomination, the victory marked his first win, and the celebrations have not stopped since. “We have been presenting concerts of an extremely high calibre for several years, so it is incredibly rewarding to have our efforts recognised on such a prestigious platform,” Prof Cupido shared, beaming with pride. “It really affirms the excellent teaching and learning that we offer at the School of Music.”
Prof Cupido’s joy is shared by his colleagues, students and the entire NWU School of Music family. For them, this award not only celebrates a memorable concert but acknowledges the hard work, passion and extraordinary talent nurtured within the department. Over the years, the NWU’s singing students have soared, excelling in both national and international singing competitions. Many have gone on to pursue postgraduate studies at some of the world’s most prestigious music institutions, while others have carved out promising careers on international opera stages.
Among the rising stars is Khayakhazi Madlala, who, after her stellar participation in Die Groot Finale, made her debut at the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden in January 2025. Fellow Die Groot Finale performer Sisikelelwe Mngenela has also made impressive strides, joining Cape Town Opera as a young artist alongside Khayakhazi.
“We have always prided ourselves on producing concerts of an exceptionally high standard,” Prof Cupido shared. “To have our students’ talents and our department’s efforts recognised in this way is both humbling and gratifying.” The NWU classical singing faculty comprises of Prof Cupido, Dr Antoinette Olivier, Ms Thembinkosi Magagula and Mr Thomas Erlank. Prof Tinus Botha, associate professor in piano, regularly collaborates with the opera ensemble contributing to their success.
Beyond his academic and musical achievements, Prof Cupido is an NRF C-2 rated researcher, a director on the board of Cape Town Opera and chairs their strategy committee. He is also no stranger to recognition, having been awarded the Prestigious Award for Teaching Excellence from the NWU in 2013 and two Institutional Research Excellence Awards in 2017.
In the pic from left to right: Joshwin Dyson (Best upcoming artist & Best Actor); Alexa Strachan (Director of the Aardklop National Arts Festival); Prof Conroy Cupido; Philip Rademeyer (Best original text)
Prof Conroy Cupido.
