On this day in 1957, Sibongile Khumalo was born
Sibongile has thrilled audiences from Roodepoort to the Royal Albert Hall in London and shares her birthday with F Scott Fitzgerald (author of The Great Gatsby) and Tanit Phoenix (Spud actress).
Sibongile Khumalo is a South African singer who has made a career for herself with her stunning voice and vast musical talent. She was born in Orlando West, Soweto in 1957 and has been surrounded by music from a young age.
Her father, who was a music professor, was the driving force behind Sibongile’s passion for music. With his guidance, she started to train under Emily Motsieloa at the age of eight, studying violin, dance, singing, and drama. By 14 years old, she had decided that she wanted to be an opera singer, but despite her father supporting her passion for music, he did not support her career choice. He discouraged her because he knew that this career would mean studying overseas as, at the time, opportunities for black South Africans, especially as opera singers, were few and far between.
Taking his advice to heart, Sibongile decided to teach music instead and went on to achieve a BA in music from the University of Zululand and a BA Honours from the University of the Witwatersrand. She also obtained a Higher Diploma in Personnel Management.
After teaching music in independent institutions for a while, Sibongile was driven to start singing professionally in 1991. Her unique music style paired traditional elements with opera and made her well-known internationally. In 1994, she was chosen to sing at former President Nelson Mandela’s inauguration and later went on to sing at his 75th birthday. She also led the singing of the National Anthem at the 1995 World Cup Rugby Final.
Her debut album was released in 1996 and since then she has achieved many accolades including four South African Music Awards, three FNB Vita Awards, and the Standard Bank Young Artist award in 1993.
Sibongile has thrilled audiences from Roodepoort to the Royal Albert Hall in London; she performed at the Two Nations Celebrate Concert in London, honouring Nelson Mandela.
Among those born on 24 September are F Scott Fitzgerald (author of The Great Gatsby) and Tanit Phoenix (Spud actress).
