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Ofentse Pitse, a trailblazing 31-year-old conductor from Mabopane, is the first black South African woman to own and run her own orchestra, fusing classical music with amapiano.
In a dimly lit auditorium in Johannesburg, Ofentse Pitse passionately waves her conducting baton, embodying a fierce sense of fun and dedication to her craft. The 31-year-old from Mabopane, a township some 40 kilometers northwest of Pretoria, is making history as the first black South African woman to own and run her own orchestra. Pitse is now producing a groundbreaking show that blends classical music with amapiano, a popular South African genre that emerged from a mix of kwaito, South Africa’s take on house music, and international house music.
Pitse’s love for music began at a young age, as she grew up in a family deeply involved in a Salvation Army church. At 12 years old, she learned to play the C scale, sparking her passion for classical music, choral and opera. By the age of 25, Pitse had formed her own youth choir and later assembled a 40-piece all-black orchestra.
For her latest project, Pitse collaborated with amapiano artists such as Kabza De Small, one of the genre’s pioneers, to create an “amapiano opera.” She reimagined De Small’s songs, drawing parallels between his approach to music and opera. During rehearsals, an elegant and unfamiliar version of Nana Thula, a popular song by Kabza De Small and DJ Maphorisa, filled the room as a choir sang softly, accompanied by violins and a saxophone.
Pitse’s conducting style is far from stern; instead, she leads “with passion… to add that motherly, sensitive, very genuine” vibe. As the ensemble performed amapiano hits, Pitse became lost in the music, dancing slightly to the beat while maintaining her poise, often with a face full of emotion.
Although a career in classical music was not always her dream, Pitse considers it “a gift.” Last year, she led a 74-piece female orchestra in a rendition of Alicia Keys’If I Ain’t Got You alongside the Grammy award-winning artist for Netflix’s Queen Charlotte, a spinoff of the popular Bridgerton series. This performance was the “greatest accomplishment of [her] career,” making her realize the incredible potential of women in the industry.
Pitse’s driving force is advancing youth opportunities and inspiring women of color. However, success and recognition have also brought pressure. As a young, black woman in a white male-dominated industry, she often faces scrutiny and must be overly prepared to prove her expertise.
Despite the challenges, Pitse remains passionate and dedicated to her craft. A zealous Beyoncé fan, she simulates the US singer’s meticulous work ethic and spends months on dance and band rehearsals for each show.
Looking to the future, Pitse hopes to create her own body of work that transcends boundaries and appeals to both classical music academics and those who have never been to a theater. Her ultimate goal is to make music that inspires and unites people from all walks of life.
With AFP
