eMbalenhle pianist wants to achieve new heights

Mr Thabiso Jimmy Setlale (30) is just as comfortable behind the piano, as he is in front of a canvas with a paint brush in his hand.

Although fixing cellphone towers and equipment is his full time job, his dream is to become a pianist one day.

He grew up in Bushbuck Ridge near White River and worked for a contractor in Trichardt as an assistant for boilermakers and welders after he completed his school career.

He later applied for a bursary to study to become an electrical engineer. He studied at Tshwane University of Technology’s campus in Witbank for three years and obtained a diploma.

He then worked in Nelspruit for two years before settling down in eMbalenhle.

Mr Setlale said he has always loved music and especially the piano.

“Since I was young and went to church and Sunday school in Bushbuck Ridge, I would watch the guy playing the piano and pretend that I was playing a piano too there in the church,” said Mr Setlale.

When he moved to eMbalenhle, he felt empty, as if his day time job was not enough to fill up his heart and he decided to pursue his dream of playing the piano again.

He searched for a music teacher and came across Ms Sara Schempers, who gives music lessons at her house in Evander.

Since Mr Setlale began taking piano lessons from Ms Schempers, he also decided that he wants to get his degree in music and began with the Unisa theoretical and practical exams.

He recently completed his Grade 7 exam and passed with a distinction.

He is now working on perfecting the piece he will have to play for his Grade 8 exam, which he will only take in 2023.

Miles Robertson, the pianist for Adele, is one of the famous pianists who inspired Mr Setlale.

“I sent him a message on Facebook and told him I enjoy the way he plays the piano and he replied and said I must continue to pursue my music career,” said Mr Setlale.

He wants his music to inspire others and when he feels sad, he plays on the piano and everything changes for the better.

He goes for lessons at Ms Schempers once a week and gets up every morning at 04:00 to practice his piano pieces before getting ready for work.

His biggest dream is to perform on stages one day and to open a music studio where he can help other artists to achieve their dreams.

Mr Setlale also followed his passion for art when he began taking art lesson from Ms Adriana Uzungoglu at the Kedi Art Studio in Secunda in 2018.

“Growing up, I always liked it to draw pencil sketches and I watched a movie where the guy was drawing and I then decided to search for someone to give me art lessons.”

Mr Setlale enjoys drawing landscapes and portraits and he still goes for art lessons weekly.

He prefers to paint with oil on canvas.

He is married to Ms Sibongile Ngwenya and has one stepdaughter (5) and a son (3).

In his free time, he enjoys reading motivational books and watching motivational videos or movies.

“I like to watch things that is in line with my calling.

“Dreams do come true if you keep on pursuing them and if you are persistent.

“I am hoping to go to America one day as I have seen many good R & B artists are from America.”