POLOKWANE – Limpopo is bursting with talent and local opera singer, Mary Moyo is just one of its many rising stars. Mary aspires to be the next Pretty Yende and has the vocals to achieve her dream.
The 30-year-old was born and raised in Seshego. She discovered her talent at a young age and went on to hone that talent by studying music at the University of Pretoria.
According to Mary, her mother heavily influenced her love for singing. “My mother has a wonderful voice and sings in the church choir. Because she couldn’t afford a baby-sitter, I would accompany her to choir rehearsals. I started to sing in church and continued singing in high school where I won four singing competitions. I even had the opportunity to represent Limpopo at a competition in Johannesburg,” she tells BONUS.
Even though Mary mainly sings opera, she often tries her hand at other genres as well.
Going forward she says she would love to work with renowned artists such as Mahlatse Vokal of the Muzo Brothers, Black Coffee, Zonke, Monique Bingham, and Judith Sephuma. She in the process of releasing her first album and hopes to make her music available to a wider audience upon its release.
One of her biggest concerns is that artists in Limpopo get so little support and recognition when compared to artists in the rest of the country.
“Many of our biggest talents move to Gauteng because they are afforded more opportunities to showcase their talents there. However, many aspiring artists cannot afford to move and their talent goes to waste as a result,” she says. “I hope the Department of Arts and Culture will realise this and create more opportunities for our local artists because there is an abundance of undiscovered talent in Limpopo.”
Mary has performed for the likes of the outgoing Public Protector Thuli Madonsela, Polokwane Mayor Thembi Nkadimeng, and Department of Economic Development, Environment and Tourism (Ledet) MEC, Seaparo Sekoati.
She says the love and support she gets from her parents motivate her to work hard and prosper.
“When it is tough they are always there for me, no matter what. My prayer group is also always there to give me words of encouragement and help me stay focused on my goals,” she concludes.
