POLOKWANE Growing up in the streets of the Ka-Ngove Village, Giyani, Nhlawuleke Shilenge (18) never dreamed of standing on a stage, telling a story in Latin to the audience.

Now, close to the end of his school career, Nhlawuleke has an audition with The Legacy Project to go and study music.

Watch Nhlawuleke perform

Nhlawuleke Shilenge from Ka-Ngove Village in Giyani is auditioning for The Legacy Project after discovering a passion for opera music. pic.twitter.com/MEwn9KOk4P

— Polokwane Observer (@PolokwaneObserv) September 30, 2026

The Legacy Project was created to help children who have potential, but whose circumstances have limited their access to opportunities and resources.

Nhlawuleke will be auditioning on October 1, at 16:00 and invites the audience to join in the fun at The Village Theatre.

Nhlawuleke was first introduced to classical and opera music in 2024 when his school recruited artists interested in doing choral music.

At that time, I had never even heard about choral music and did not know anything about it. The conductor gave us copies of the music, and as we started to sing, I could see I had this music in me from long ago; it was just that I had no way to discover it yet.

Nhlawuleke meets with soloists

At the competitions the choir participated in, Nhlawuleke got to know soloists and their music. He admits he was interested in the type of music as he recognised it in his heart the moment he heard others perform.

“I loved how beautiful it sounded, and since it was too late to participate in solo items in 2024, I decided to take on that mission in 2025.”

Before the recruiters came to his school, he asked for a copy of the music for solo auditions. Since it was the first time Nhlawuleke had to perform the piece, with no experience in opera music, he started to practice as soon as he had the music.

I had no one to teach me, and it took me six months to actually complete that one song. The first competition I took part in; I won the cluster level round. Even though I won, I lacked experience, and I was the only participant in that category. This changed as I moved on to district, as I had judges and more experience.

Opera music is like a knife

After winning, Nhlawuleke realised he was good; he just needed more resources and practice. He did not win the provincial rounds of the competition, but as soon as this year’s music was available, he started to practice as much as he could and did everything he could to put himself in a position to win.

“Opera music is like a knife. The more you practice, the sharper the knife gets, and you never stop learning. I also noticed when I started singing, doors were opening up for me. I went places and met people I never would have met.”

It was at this moment that Nhlawuleke decided to dedicate his life to music, especially opera. He believes this is where he is wanted and where his opportunities are.

I love to sing Italian music, but when I started, I had never spoken the language. I had a lack of resources such as a theatre or qualified people to help. I also never had music lessons. I also did not have any musical resources, and I cannot read music. But I am a fast learner, and artificial intelligence helps me with the pronunciation of the Latin words. I learn the music by listening to it.

 Nhlawuleke dreams of going to the Nelson Mandela University, where he can have more resources to study music.

“I want to experience more compared to what I have now. I know I will be able to find the needed resources, and I will be able to improve myself. Going there might help me get noticed as well.”