Amazwi Omzansi Africa Competition results announced
London-based South African baritone Njabulo Madlala has announced the results of the second Amazi Omzansi Africa National Singing Competition. The finals were held at the Howard College UKZN in Durban on 30 March 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 the third prize of R3,000, Swazi tenor Sibusiso Dlamini took fourth position winning R2,000.
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.
Intensive training programs
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.
For more information, email Amazwi Omzansi festival director Njabulo Madlala at njabulomadlala@ymail.com or go to www.mazwiomzansiafrica.com.
