QUEEN OF THE PODIUM

She’s the first black female conductor in SA and on the continent – and she’s on a mission to tell African stories through classical music

- Siyabonga Dzimbili

THE slender baton glides through the air as the conductor gesticulates, sometimes furiously, sometimes gently. The baton moves as though it’s a wand conjuring music out of air. Her right hand opens, closes, and a finger points, and all the while the musicians seated before her concentrate intently, one eye on her, the other on the sheet music in front of them.

For Ofentse Pitse (27) being the conductor of the all-black Anchored Sound orchestra is far more than a job. It’s a calling which has given her life purpose and meaning. It all began in 2017 when she started a youth choir after meeting young people who were taking part in musical competitions. “I’d see all these amazing young people and wonder who they were. I wanted to spend time with them and find out more about them.

“They had one common denominator – they all had dreams. Some wanted to be on world stages, some wanted opportunities and others just wanted to go to school.”

Ofentse found sponsorships to help fund their education, and the idea of an orchestra took root soon after.

She did a lot of research. That, coupled with her zeal to always challenge herself, saw her set a goal of forming an all-black orchestra. “We started small with just 22 musicians. We grew to 32 because more and more people wanted to join, to the point where I was like, ‘I can’t afford to take more people’, so we agreed to make it 40. Now we’re on 44!”

All the profits made from their performances are used to help members, especially those who need assistance with tuition fees and education expenses.

“When it started, a lot of them thought I was crazy, and some of them were like, ‘We’re eager [to work with you] as we definitely see you as a leader and we want to follow what you’re doing’.”