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A WSU music lecturer in the Department of Humanities and Creative Arts, Nyiko Condry Ngobeni, took the stage to render a harmonious opera piece at the 2023 African Growth and Opportunity Act Forum hosted by President Cyril Ramaposa at the Joburg Expo Centre recently.
The soloist has gained notable national and international recognition as a singer, learning conductor, and music practitioner. He is also an adjudicator at the South African School Choral Eisteddfod in Northwest Province and the National Eisteddfod Academy in Gauteng.
“It was truly a special honour to be part of such a significant occasion and sharing the stage with such respected delegates was a dream come true. The experiences continue to inspire and drive my passion for music to new heights,” said Ngobeni.
The forum, formed in 2000 by former USA President Bill Clinton, seeks to promote economic growth through good governance and free markets between the US and 38 Sub-Saharan African AGOA-eligible countries.
“There was a unique blend of excitement and serenity as I sang, knowing that my performance was not just entertainment but a vital part of a significant diplomatic event.”
Ngobeni’s national career highlights range from 2010 when he performed in the Hansel and Gratel play and later Petitte Messe solennele, Magic flute Opera, Mozart Requiem, 2 Don Giovanni opera, and Messe solennele by Gounod, at Tshwane University of Technology.
After four years of gracing the university’s stage, Ngobeni took to the international stage in 2016 to perform Ogre from El Gato con Botas by Montsalvatge Operahub, in Boston, USA.
His latest international performance was in 2017 when he performed Dr Miracle by Offenbach from Les Contes D'hoffmann with Longy Opera School, Cambridge, USA
He describes his international reputation as a testament to his passion and dedication to the arts.
“I am profoundly thankful for the support I have received from esteemed organizations such as the scholarship form the Oppenheimer Memorial Trust, USA, the National Arts Council, the Department of Arts and Culture, and the Office of the Mayor of the City of Tshwane which enabled me to pursue passion and contribute to our nation's cultural legacy.”
Continuing his pursuit of excellence, Ngobeni is currently a PhD candidate at Rhodes University, focusing on Music, with his scope of research focusing on the Assessment of work readiness of vocal studies graduates in the Eastern Cape.
The singer attained his Master of Music Degree in Performance from Longy School of Music of Bard College in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA, under the mentorship of Robert Honeysucker.
By Ongezwa Sigodi
