Meet SAMRO's 2019 scholarship competition semi-finalists

The competition will culminate in a final where four finalists – two in each category – will compete for top honours at the same venue on 17 August. The two winners will walk away with R200 000 (about $14 500) to further their music studies abroad.

The competition – which follows a four-year cycle alternating between singers, composers, instrumentalists and keyboard players – spans over three rounds and is adjudicated by a panel of music experts.

The vocalists competing in the jazz music category are Jodi Fredericks (Cape Town), Liso Gcwabe (East London), Daniëlla Hart (Johannesburg), Keorapetse Kolwane (Free State), Nelisiwe Molaba (Johannesburg) and Tshepo Tshabalala (Pretoria).

The western art music category comprises Goitsemang Lehobye (Pretoria), Moloko Letsoalo (Pretoria), Thembinkosi Magagula (Free State), Palesa Malieloa (Kroonstad), Nkululeko Masuku (Free State) and Makudupanyane Senaoana (Johannesburg).

“South Africa’s talent pool is immense,” SAMRO Foundation managing director Andre Le Roux said. “We have unique and diverse artists coming onto the stage every day who have the markings of true future stars. Many of these artists slip through the cracks – not due to a lack of talent but rather a lack of financial support.

“Our aim is to give these artists the opportunity to take the gifts they already possess and establish a career for themselves where they can showcase their potential. A SAMRO scholarship is one piece in the puzzle that creates a strong foundation for supporting artists in their success.”

Earlier this year, administrators from the SAMRO Foundation and a distinguished panel of carefully selected adjudicators completed an intensive selection process, narrowing down a pool of candidates to the 12 semi-finalists. These talents from across the country will now face the music and compete live during the semi-final round.

Previous SAMRO Overseas Scholarships Competition winners include Mandla Mlangeni (2012), Prince Bulo (2014), Bokani Dyer (2013), Levy Sekgapane (2015), Zoë Modiga (2015), Linda Sikhakhane (2016), Ntando Ncgapu (2017), Megan-Geoffrey Prins (2017), Andrew Hoole (2018) and Conrad Asman (2018).