Three years ago, a young man studying for a Social Science degree in his native KwaZulu-Natal decided that this was not the right choice for his future career, and left accordingly to train as a singer at UCT’s Opera School. Now, at the end of 2025, baritone Sandile Zitha (pictured left) can say that this was a wise move, having amassed an impressive array of awards and prizes, his latest achievement being adjudged winner of the Schock Foundation Singing Competition last week, says BEVERLEY BROMMERT:
As Sandile prepares for the end of year exams due to start shortly, he looks back on the journey that has brought him to this point.
“It all started with my elder brother, whose singing I made fun of – until I discovered the voice of Pavarotti, which I heard on my brother’s CDs. That is when I fell in love with opera, and began singing myself by the time I was in Grade 11.”
He auditioned as a baritone for first year B.Mus (Opera Performance), also essaying other registers, namely tenor and counter-tenor, before settling into the one that best suited his comfort zone.
Having Associate Professor Patrick Tikolo as his mentor has stood him in excellent stead: “He is also a baritone, so knows exactly what is necessary in training. I have learnt a lot from him, notably how to keep my voice natural while developing technique.”
Confident future ahead
Versatility is also required of students, and Zitha has had to address the demands of oratorio and lieder as well as those of operatic singing. Asked whether he has a preference, he has no hesitation in identifying opera: “Although I enjoy all forms of song, I really prefer opera arias. Oratorio can be complicated, and challenges me particularly in the lower range, as it tends to strain my voice. And lieder and art songs need one to be intensely expressive, which I find contrived when there is no dramatic context, whereas in opera one can act out the emotions in the story, and I LIKE acting,” he says.
Among Sandile’s favourite composers are Rossini and Mozart, although he considers the latter more accessible when it comes to technique. “Both kill me!” he chuckles, adding “though for me, Mozart is way easier than Rossini …”
He has one more year of training at UCT before completing his B.Mus (Opera Performance), and thereafter he intends to apply for further study both overseas and at UCT: “I’ll wait and see what responses I get, and decide then.”
With his already impressive CV, which includes a leading role in Opera UCT’s recent production of Die Fledermaus, this young man can envisage his future with confidence.
WS
