Opera singer hits the right notes

To Bongani Kubheka, providing a soundtrack to life is as easy as letting his own voice soar.

With a resounding win at the Amazwi Omzansi Africa National Singing Competition in April, the stage is now set for this Newcastle-born talent to make (sound) waves in a new generation of so-called encore-preneurs.

For Mr Kubheka, it is the crowning achievement in a life of musical inspiration.

Before a panel of renowned judges, including famed KwaZulu-Natal performer, Njabulo Madlala, Mr Kubheka delivered a series of stunning renditions to bag the R10 000 prize fund, and a ticket to a world of opportunity.

The United States of America, Cape Town and beyond – Mr Kubheka is looking forward to the future.

“I feel so grateful to be a winner of Amazwi Omzansi, because it has given me a great opportunity to work with inspiring South African opera singers who have made it big in the industry, both nationally and abroad.”

Star-struck at working alongside famed voices such as Mr Madlala, Sipho Fubesi and Violina Anguelov, Mr Kubheka said it was an honour to have performed at his ‘home ground’, with the competition held at the University of KZN’s Howard College.

Inspiring other young artists in KZN and South Africa was an added bonus to him.

Speaking on his early life, Mr Kubheka explained he was born and bred in Newcastle, and completed his education through Indono Junior Primary, Zithuthukise Senior Primary and St Lewis Bertrand’s High School.

His musical passion was also fostered from a young age.

“My musical passion was inspired by my cousin, Phindile Kubheka, who passed away in 2001. She used to make us sing gospel songs for her when she was home on leave.”

Through the singing of popular songs, Mr Kubheka discovered he possessed an affinity for making music.

While at Zithuthukise Senior Primary, Mr Kubheka joined the school choir and became a leader there, eventually receiving a certificate for the ‘best gospel singer’ from the conductor.

At high school level, singing with the St Lewis Bertrand’s HS choir was another great influence on Mr Kubheka.

“I did not know I would become an opera singer one day, and only discovered my true ability after I entered and won a Tirisano competition at national level in 2009, the year I graduated.”

That laid the foundation for Mr Kubheka to make a business of making music.

Commenting on what inspiration winning the Amazwi Omzansi competition had given him, Mr Kubheka said he was motivated to make a greater mark in the world.

Opera, he added, was a less-popular genre, and classical music in general had few African proponents.

Because most people supported popular music genres, Mr Kubheka understood there was a great difficulty in terms of producing enough opportunities for South African opera singers, compared to Europe and elsewhere overseas.

However, this has not diminished his desire to gain knowledge and experience with which to uplift all South Africans.

This, Mr Kubheka added, would be done through “bringing new resolutions and ideas to uplift opera music and its performers.”

Asked what it was like to work with acclaimed musicians, Mr Kubheka said it was a wonderful and eye-opening experience, sharing time with a brilliant and humble singer like Mr Madlala.

Before the competition, contestants participated in a week of workshops and masterclasses with Mr Madlala.

“This really inspired my dreams further. I learned so much that I feel a genuine need to build up my talent and abilities, for the better of our country and the generations to come.”

Wrapping up, Mr Kubheka said he was off to the US at the end of May and was working on a performance of Il Viaggio a Reims by Gioachino Rossini, to be staged at ARTSCAPE in Cape Town in August this year.

“And of course, I am planning to go for more competitions nationally and abroad.”

While his voice continues to inspire despite his background, Mr Kubheka is also laying the groundwork for his son, Sthembiso Wiseman Kubheka, by setting part of the prize money aside.

In the words of Mr Madlala, it’s ‘talent like you can’t believe’ in the KZN region.