Edenglen High honours Tyla’s Grammy success
“Tyla was always a go-getter, she always knew what she wanted and knew that she wanted to be on stage."
Former Edenglen learner Tyla Seethal lit up the stage when she was awarded a Grammy for her internationally popular song Water.
The 22-year-old, the youngest South African to win a Grammy, won in the best African music performance category.
The award was presented to her in Los Angeles at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards on February 4.
She joins the ranks of fellow SA artists and groups such as Ladysmith Black Mambazo, the Soweto Gospel Choir, Wouter Kellerman, Zakes Bantwini, Nomcebo Zikode and Black Coffee who have been awarded Grammys.
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The same year that Tyla matriculated in 2019, she debuted her first single Getting Late featuring Kooldrink.
It was while at school, as prefect and the school’s head of culture, that her path to stardom was paved with Tyler posting original songs and covers to social media.
She gained international popularity, specifically after her 2023 single Water entering the top 10 in 16 countries.
Her single was the first song by a South African soloist to enter the US Billboard Hot 100 in 55 years
Edenglen High School’s public relations and marketing coordinator Itumeleng Gwangwa said while at school Tyla was an all-round artist.
She won awards for being the best actress, for being the singer of the year as well as placing 13th in the top 25 in her matric year.
“Tyla was always a go-getter, she always knew what she wanted and knew that she wanted to be on stage. She was academically strong, the full package of brains, beauty and talent.”
Itumeleng said when Tyla performed on stage she felt and looked alive.
“Ever since she joined the school Tyla was always comfortable on the stage and everyone knew that she was going to achieve greatness.”
ALSO READ: Learners of Edenglen High inspired by Tyla’s Grammy win
Itumeleng said seeing one of Edenglen High’s past learners achieve greatness feels great for everyone at the school.
“It is nice to know that Edenglen helped Tyla explore and express her creative talent allowing her to become who she is today.”
Itumeleng said Edenglen was recently at a school expo speaking to primary school learners where one of the learners recognised the fact that Tyla had matriculated from Edenglen High.
“The fact that a young learner knew this and wanted to come to our school because of Tyla and her achievements felt so good.”
Tyla was also an instrumental member of the school’s choir.
Itumeleng said when Tyla visited the school last November she spent a great deal of time with the choir.
Itumeleng said it was an extremely special visit for the school.
“It was amazing for Tyla to return because in a sense this is where everything started.
”Itumeleng encouraged her to continue flying the SA flag.
“Continue being yourself and continue representing SA the way you have been.
When you come back to visit, please bring the Grammy, we miss you.”
