Pictured above L-R: Abe Sibiya (Chair SAMRO Board), Zoe Modiga, Levy Sekgapane, Andre le Roux (MD SAMRO Foundation). Photo courtesy Suzy Bernstein.

Two students of the South African College of Music have secured first prize in the singing category of the SAMRO Overseas Scholarships Competition final held in Johannesburg on 29 August. 24-year-old Levy Sekgapane and 21 year-old Zoe Modiga have each won a R200 000 to further their music education. This is South Africa’s most lucrative competitive music scholarship. 

Sekgapane who is currently specialising in Western Art music, is already achieving great things. Earlier this year, he placed first in the 34th International Hans Gabor Belvedere Singing Competition. Modiga is pursuing Jazz studies specialisation. UCT alumnus Amy Campbell who obtained her Bachelor of Music degree in 2014 (jazz stream) was among the finalists for this prestigious competition. Thanks to the generous prize money, SAMRO award recipients have the opportunity to not only further their studies through enrolling in specialist master classes, but in addition, their names will feature on the SAMRO Foundation’s roll of honour, joining 68 fellow scholarships alumni since 1962. 

The theme of the 2015 scholarships competition was the National Development Plan (NDP) vision for a future South Africa. The SAMRO Foundation commissioned four composers: Neo Muyanga, Marcus Wyatt, Christo Jankowitz and James Bassingthwaighte, to write new songs inspired by the preamble to the NDP, which was penned by University of Johannesburg vice-chancellor Professor Njabulo Ndebele and poet Antjie Krog. The songs were then performed by the contestants in the intermediate and final rounds. Professor Ndebele delivered the keynote address on the night. Both Bassingthwaite and Wyatt are alumni of the South African College of Music. Professor Ndebele is a former UCT Vice Chancellor.

In addition to the two main overseas scholarships, a number of merit awards were given to the finalists and semi-finalists who included four UCT students: Khanyiso Gwenxane, Mikhaela Kruger, Makudupanyane Senaoana and Amy Walton.