Empangeni High School pupil, Claremont Choir joining Thandiswa Mazwai, Khaya Mthethwa on stage

Empangeni High School pupil, Claremont Choir joining Thandiswa Mazwai, Khaya Mthethwa on stage
Sethabile Hlabangane

FNB Pop Opera reaffirms commitment to supporting KZN creative economy from grassroots to greatness

FNB’s flagship Pop Opera concert, in partnership with the KwaZulu-Natal Philharmonic Orchestra, and hosted by Bridget Masinga, is set to showcase some of the best homegrown talent from the province. Taking place on Saturday19 October 2024 at Collisheen Estate in Ballito, the exclusive concert boasts an incredible lineup of instrumentalists and vocalists, including 18-year-old Empangeni High School pupil Sethabile Hlabangane.

Hlabangane, who is currently in Grade 12, is an ABC Motsepe South African Schools Choral Eisteddfod (SACE) National Champion soloist. The talented soprano will join the likes of multihyphenate global sensation Thandiswa Mazwai; homegrown singer-songwriter, musician, and composer Khaya Mthethwa; Mzansi pop icon Samantha Leonard; and award-winning artist Ruhan Du Toit – all of whom will also be performing accompanied by the KZN Philharmonic Orchestra.

“Since we started this initiative close to three decades ago, our goal has always been clear: bring the community together and showcase homegrown talent among South Africa’s best. Last year, in addition to that, we sought to utilise the gift of music to bring hope to a province ravaged by natural disaster. This year, we continue our legacy and give a platform to both established and emerging artists in KZN and support the province’s creative economy. And, as we continue to shine a spotlight on the province’s incredible talent, it’s only fitting for young and vibrant artists like Sethabile, the youngest performer to grace this stage, to form part and parcel of the lineup,” says Faye Mfikwe, FNB’s Chief Marketing Officer.

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“FNB’s north star as a brand is “Help changes everything”, and we envisage ourselves recommitting, on an annual basis, to doing our part to help nurture the growth, success, and eventual exportation of KZN’s creative talent, from grassroots to greatness. By bringing back the FNB Pop Opera event, we’re celebrating the transformative power of music and creative expression as a force for good,” adds Mfikwe.

Fresh from representing South Africa as a country, and KZN as a province, on their international tour in Dubai and New York, the 30-member Clermont Choir will also be hitting the stage to represent homegrown talent in full force while young and emerging orchestra conductor, violinist, and violist Chevonne Plaatjies will also grace the stage.

The full artist lineup for FNB Pop Opera this year, is as follows:

  • Thandiswa Mazwai
  • Khaya Mthethwa
  • Samantha Leonard
  • Ruhan du Toit
  • Karen Petersen
  • Sethabile Hlabangane
  • Clermont Choir
  • Oleksii Ishchenko
  • KZN Philharmonic Orchestra

“It’s an honour for FNB to have a hand in showcasing vibrant artists from KZN, and across the country, by giving them the opportunity to share their talents, inspire others, bring the community together and celebrate our cultural diversity,” concludes Mfikwe.