Ngqungwana - Odyssey of an African Opera Singer

Published by Penguin Books,
an imprint of Penguin Random House South Africa (Pty) Ltd
Company Reg. No. 1953/000441/07
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First impression 2018

Publication Penguin Books 2018
Text Musa Ngqungwana 2018

Cover image Paul Sirochman/The Academy of Vocal Arts
Background image: Michael Cooper/CooperShoots

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PUBLISHER: Marlene Fryer
MANAGING EDITOR: Ronel Richter-Herbert
EDITOR: Angela Voges
PROOFREADER: Dane Wallace
COVER AND TEXT DESIGN: Ryan Africa
TYPESETTING: Monique van den Berg/Ryan Africa

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ISBN 978 1 77609 297 0 (print)
ISBN 978 1 77609 298 7 (ePub)

To Misiwe Dorothy Ngqungwana, my late grandmother:

Ah Masthathu, Machisana, Ndebe, Khophoyi,
Nkomo Zibomvu, Lawu, Hasa.

Having grown up in a complicated system of segregation in South Africa, then finding myself introduced to and thriving in an opulent art form that clashed with my impoverished upbringing, I was moved to draft a story about my unusual journey.

My book begins by exploring the effects my family felt of the political structure in South Africa, then delves into my familys life in the township, my early schooling and my initial introduction to music.

South Africas musical traditions are rich, particularly its choral singing traditions. I found my first love of music in choirs at both school and church. I was introduced to opera through one of my choral directors, and was lucky enough to be exposed to opportunities to participate in opera performance and solo concert work, even though the path to this was not always clear. I defied the normative roles my family had set out for me while following my own path, even dropping out of engineering studies to do so.

Through the encouragement of various teachers and much study and practice, I ended up at the University of Cape Town Opera School, where I benefited from the guidance of some of the countrys most learned and talented musical minds. Under their musicianship and training, I was able to earn a place at the prestigious Academy of Vocal Arts (AVA) in Philadelphia. With additional training from the AVA, I won the Grand Finals of the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions in 2013, one of the greatest honours in the opera industry for a young singer. I now am grateful to be performing principal roles at leading opera houses around the United States and Europe.

I realise that not everyone is granted the opportunities Ive been given and, throughout the whole process of learning my craft, I was cognisant that poverty was always at the door, and that I needed to focus as much as I could on changing my circumstances. I believe that my story, set against the unconventional background of the world of opera and turbulent South Africa, could inspire others who are working towards a dream against conditions that seem undefeatable.

I know what poverty means, and by this I dont mean the regular struggling middle-class family or someone on welfare not having enough money to pay the electricity bill or struggling to put food on the table or milk in the refrigerator. I mean having neither a refrigerator nor the electricity to power it. Im talking about a life where candles and Primus stoves are the power sources, and where one walks on unpaved roads, surrounded by decay and scarcity. In the world Im referring to, winters are terrible because the shanty doesnt have proper roofing, or heating, or a ceiling. Where warm clothes dont exist to combat the easterly winds. Where health care, or even bringing home a dollar a day, is a luxury that can barely be dreamt of.

I know going to sleep without food. If there was sugar in the house, at least you could mix it with water to make sweet water ( amanzi-eswekile , as we called it). With hindsight, this was unhealthy, but at least it helped keep the hunger at bay.

I know what its like to grow up with deprivation and depravity surrounding you because of your socio-political conditions: to look at your grandmother, the tears of pain streaming down her wrinkled, defeated and worn-out brown face, her once ever-present dimples hidden under the yoke of yearning for a better life. From the look on her face, you knew not to ask stupid questions. She had no money and no one she could ask for resources to help her survive. Prayer was all we had to get us through those days, but even that wasnt enough. Our rumbling, singing stomachs, and resulting confused minds, werent in tune with the Holy Spirit.

I know what its like to be homeless many times in your life. My tipping point was just after I had completed my undergraduate studies, finding myself penniless and directionless, sinking back into the depths I thought I had escaped.

But I came out of that squalid past because of grace, music, resilience and an inner drive, knowing crime would not be the answer, coupled with the help of many angels the people who, along the way, extended their hands to me in kindness, understanding and compassion.

In this universe with its billions of stars and galaxies, theres an undisputed truth the world is vast, and so are its possibilities. Ive been in many parts of the world traversed various continents and Ive seen the beauty in nature and in endless possibilities. I like to dream big, so when I meet folks who like to present their reality and whats not possible, I cringe, because my experiences have given me the foresight to see past any obstacles in my way.

There are always challenges and disappointments along lifes journey, but they are not what I focus on. Instead, they are lessons, returning me to the right paths and objectives. In my life, displeasures last a day, then I move on. Likewise, toxic mix-ups, fights, situations and conversations last but one day; the following day, Im onto a new chapter.

I come from a world where small disputes can last a lifetime, and help nothing. So, I do well with people who never question my specious thinking. Id rather people judge my actions and know I live in the present. If I lived in the past, Id be dejected and likely on drugs, living a life filled with crime, or in prison, or perhaps Id even be dead.

Fly with me, and dont ask me where my wings are. Because, for my age, Ive seen and experienced a lot, and youll just have to have faith in that otherwise, it may be best to stay in your own reality and let me float in my own dreams. Ive always known I was different. Borrowing the words of former president of South Africa Thabo Mbeki, I am an African. I owe my being to the hills and the valleys, the mountains and the glades Im a free spirit, hovering through nature, unrestricted. When I fall, I get up.

But I am getting ahead of myself! My friends call me Chief or Musa. I was born on a rainy Tuesday morning on 31 July 1984, in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. My home town is in the Eastern Cape province, over 750 kilometres east of Cape Town. Port Elizabeth is one of South Africas major ports and has a population of nearly 1.3 million. British settlers founded the city in 1820, and the city provided housing for them, strengthening the boundary region between the Cape Colony and the Xhosa people.