Karabo’s a pilot in the making with a violin in hand
Capricorn High School learner Karabo Sehlapelo (17) is a violin player who has aspirations of becoming a pilot.
POLOKWANE – Learning to play the violin has taught him a lot about himself.
Karabo Sehlapelo, is a Gr 12 learner at Capricorn High School with provincial colours in playing the violin.
The 17-year-old started playing the violin after an encounter with his cousin who was learning to play the violin. “My cousin was playing the violin and I could hear that she was playing it wrong. I asked her if I can give it a try and I have never looked back since,” he explained.
Sehlapelo shared that the violin is a difficult instrument to learn to play. “Some people even call it a guitar, so I have to keep correcting them and explaining that it’s a violin,” he said.
He used to take violin lessons at the Limpopo Youth Orchestra before it closed. He continued at the Swan Music Academy to further hone his skills but because he is in Gr 12, he has put playing the instrument aside to focus on school, but he plans to continue playing next year.
“I love the violin, but I have no plans to pursue it professionally. I will continue to play it socially,” he said.
He recently auditioned for the South Africa Championships of Performing Arts (Sacopa). Other than the violin, he plays a bit of piano. Next year, he plans to go to aviation school because he has a passion for it.
“Violin is difficult to master but you can do anything you put your mind to. Don’t underestimate yourself and your capabilities. Also give yourself time to try out instruments other than piano and guitars, there’s many instruments out there like cello that you can learn to play,” he said.
