Local baritone singer Mbulelo Pikoli, 27, is currently in Cape Town auditioning for the Artscape theatre thanks to sponsorship from Siyakubonga Funeral Services.
Local baritone singer Mbulelo Pikoli, 27, is currently in Cape Town auditioning for the Artscape theatre thanks to sponsorship from Siyakubonga Funeral Services.
Artscape will be putting on three operas this year and he hopes to be chosen as a choir member.
Pikoli says the opportunity to audition is important and if he is successful all kinds of doors will open for him.
"Going through to Cape Town will be a kind of a breakthrough for my career because we will be travelling to other countries and there will be some scouts there and maybe they will love my voice," he said.
Pikoli is ambitious and visibly excited about this chance to develop his skills.
"It means a lot to me because I want to become one of the best baritones in South Africa, if possible in Africa and in the world."
He is originally from Port Elizabeth but has been living with his wife in Grahamstown since 2007. He studied music at the University of Cape Town for two years but due to financial and family reasons he was forced to return to Grahamstown.
Pikoli has performed with various local choirs and has earned himself a number of awards as a baritone singer.
His favourite opera is La Traviatta and he would love to sing in it because he believes that it suits his voice.
Siyakubonga’s Ronel Mostert says her business has taken the decision to make two R1 000 donations every month as part of the company’s commitment to the Grahamstown community.
