LISWATI OPERA SINGER WINS SA COMPETITION

MBABANE – The sky is the limit. This quote holds true for Themba Mdlalose, who has won first prize at a competition dubbed ‘Voices of South African International singing competition.’

The above mentioned was confirmed in an interview with the Entertainment Desk.
The competition was founded in Durban in the beginning of the year, by an established South African Opera singer Njabulo Madlala, who is now based in London.

The project eventually grew with time and has produced a number of singers who are now based in Europe and the United States. It is known for producing world class opera singers.
Its  objective was to develop, encourage and assist young upcoming opera singers to pave their way into the world of Opera music internationally.

Humbled

“I am truly humbled, this is something I didn’t expect at all.  I am very excited that my hard work has finally paid off,” he said.
It is worth noting that this year’s competition took a different form due to the prevalence of COVID-19 , which has restricted social gatherings.
The competition was hosted online and singers had to submit one minute videos singing from home.

More than 60  people from Southern Africa submitted their videos and 21 were selected for semifinals which led to 10 singers who proceeded to the finals.
Mdlalose also shared that the competition has taught him to be passionate and focused.
He said he had gained a lot of knowledge as he was preparing and participating in the competition.

“ I also submitted my video online . The competition has taught me that anything is possible, if I put my mind and heart to it.
“Most importantly I’ve come to realise the importance of learning and researching about opera, in my personal view researching is more important than the singing,” he said.

Mdlalose is not the first liSwati to hoist the country’s flag in opera music. Talented Thando Zwane has taken home a number of titles including the best Audience Prize at Les Azuriales Opera International 2019 Opera Singing Competition’ in France
Eswatini National Choral Music Association (ENCMA) Chairperson Sihle Gumbi said this was great news for the whole of Eswatini.

Proud

“The choral music fraternity is very proud of Themba. Solo participants always shine and I can confidently say that as an association we are working on doing something for singers.

“I cannot get to the merits of the upcoming project, but we are working on something with the assistance of Eswatini National Council of Arts and Culture ,” said Gumbi.
  Themba took home E2 000 and a scholarship to study Masters in Opera.

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