EHS pupil to join global artists on stage

EMPANGENI High School pupil and award-winning vocalist Sethabile Hlabangane (18) is set to join internationally acclaimed music stars on stage at the FNB Pop Opera at Collisheen Estate in Ballito on Saturday (tomorrow).

The FNB’s flagship Pop Opera concert in partnership with the KZN Philharmonic Orchestra will be hosted by Bridget Masinga and boasts an incredible line-up of instrumentalists and vocalists including the Empangeni soloist.

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Sethabile, who is currently in Grade 12, is an ABC Motsepe South African Schools Choral Eisteddfod (SACE) National Champion soloist. The talented soprano will join the likes of multi-hyphenate global sensation Thandiswa Mazwai, home-grown singer-songwriter, musician, and composer Khaya Mthethwa, Mzansi pop icon Samantha Leonard, and award-winning artist Ruhan Du Toit – all of whom will be performing accompanied by the KZN Philharmonic Orchestra.

FNB’s Chief Marketing Officer Faye Mfikwe said since the initiative started close to three decades ago, their goal has always been clear: to bring the community together and showcase homegrown talent among South Africa’s best.

“Last year, in addition to that, we sought to utilise the gift of music to bring hope to a province ravaged by natural disaster. This year, we continue our legacy and give a platform to both established and emerging artists in KZN and support the province’s creative economy. “And, as we continue to shine a spotlight on the province’s incredible talent, it’s only fitting for young and vibrant artists like Sethabile, the youngest performer to grace this stage, to form part and parcel of the line-up,” said Mfikwe.

“By bringing back the FNB Pop Opera event, we’re celebrating the transformative power of music and creative expression as a force for good. It’s an honour for FNB to have a hand in showcasing vibrant artists from KZN, and across the country, by giving them the opportunity to share their talents, inspire others, bring the community together and celebrate our cultural diversity,” concludes Mfikwe.

The full artist line-up for FNB Pop Opera this year:
• Thandiswa Mazwai
• Khaya Mthethwa
• Samantha Leonard
• Ruhan du Toit
• Karen Petersen
• Sethabile Hlabangane
• Clermont Choir
• Oleksii Ishchenko
• KZN Philharmonic Orchestra

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