WHEN she sings, the atmosphere is electric as emotions are uplifted through her melodic vibrato.
It is no wonder 16-year-old Zamashenge Buthelezi of Mzingazi put Zululand on the national map and won over judges at the South African Schools Choral Eisteddfod (SASCE) last week.
The Grade 11 pupil of Mgezeni High was named the best ‘mezzo soprano opera solo’ out of hundreds of contestants nationally.
And the singing accolade means even more to Zamashenge as her late mom’s wish was for her daughter to attend her alma mater, Mgezeni High School, and be mentored by her long-time friend, Mrs NN Mathenjwa.
After losing her mom earlier this year in a car accident, in which both herself and her older sister were involved, Zamashenge fulfilled her mom’s desire and transferred from Khula High School to Mgezeni High.
It was here that she was taken under the wing of Mrs Mathenjwa, a dramatic arts teacher who spent hours training and supporting Zamashenge for the SASCE competition.
After excelling in the circuit competition and going through to the district and provincial legs, Zamashenge finally made it to the national level.
‘I felt like I had been singing non-stop for six months,’ explained Zamashenge
‘When this whole competition started in February I had no idea how far I would progress or just how much practice and stress was involved, although the support I received was incredible.’
Zamashenge does not sing because she is happy. She is happy because she sings.
‘I live and breathe music. It is my life,’ jokes Zamashenge, who lives with her father, Archbishop R.Z Buthelezi.
Involved not only in her school choir, Zamashenge also sings in the church choir as well as the community choir while still maintaining high standards in her academics.
‘It is amazing what a young person can achieve if they put their heart and soul into something. Overcoming the sadness and loss Zamashenge has had to deal with and the way in which she has, is a lesson for us all,’ said Mgezeni High School Principal, Thami Mchunu.
Now the sky is the limit and Zamashenge dreams of one day singing opera on a grand stage, supported by a full orchestra.
‘As Martin Luther King once said, ‘As long as we live, there is never enough singing.’ I have been blessed with a talent and with the support of God, my family, peers and teachers so anything is possible,’ Zamashenge said.
