Famous Artist Dr Sibongile Khumalo visits UNIZULU

World-celebrated musician and UNIZULU alumna Dr Sibongile Khumalo recently paid students from the University’s Creative Arts Department a visit.

The famous star sat down with the students in their arts auditorium and had in-depth discussions with the beaming young creatives. She advised the budding artists through lessons learned from her experiences in the entertainment industry. She posed questions to the students to help them in defining what creativity meant to them as a means of adding value to their objects of desire. She touched on sensitive topics that she felt were overlooked even though they form part of one’s artistry. These include self-awareness, self-affirmation, self-confidence and self-worth. She spoke also on understanding the spirit to enhance the creative gift or talent.

Mpume Ndaba, 2019/2020 Chairperson of the Creative Arts Student Association who’s a big fan of Dr Khumalo’s, said she appreciated learning from a seasoned entertainer who has lived through various experiences. Ndaba added that she was motivated to work even harder towards fulfilling her dreams of becoming a script editor because Dr Khumalo had reaffirmed in her the value of recognising one’s talent and working to harness it through preparation, hard work, and sheer grit.

Students were also allowed to pose questions to Dr Khumalo who used specific periods in her life experiences as practical examples that students could learn from and be encouraged by. This informal discussion proved to be a suitable platform for students to freely discuss nerve-wracking topics without fear of being misunderstood.

“Sibongile Khumalo asked us a question and I wrote down my answer for it in my notebook. I thought the topics discussed were very relevant because these are the things that we as students wonder about regarding our future in the industry. (What stuck) with me is (her advice on how) we should be fully committed to our art because only we can achieve the things we want out of life,” said Busisiwe Mabaso, one of the attendees.

Students and staff performed a special musical piece for Dr Khumalo and were also afforded a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to share the stage with the acclaimed star.

Head of the Creative Arts Department Gift Marovatsanga said he hoped that the students would soak in the information that was shared by Dr Sibongile Khumalo and that it would motivate them to continue to work hard so that they can also achieve her level of stardom.

Dr Khumalo is a South African singer who has made a career for herself with her captivating voice and musical talent. She was born in Orlando West, Soweto in 1957 and has been surrounded by music from a young age.

Her father, Professor Khabi Mngoma, whom the University will honour next week through its debut annual memorial lecture for his influential contribution to African music, was the driving force behind Dr Khumalo’s passion for music.

She has performed at numerous prestigious venues abroad including the Royal Festival Hall in London, Ravinia Festival in the United States of America and Het Musik Teater in the Netherlands. She has appeared as a guest for all the major orchestras, festivals and performed at theatres across South Africa.

– Hlumelo Nyikana

Caption

Dr Sibongile Khumalo with ecstatic students from the Creative Arts Department.