From Khayelitsha To The World Stage
MIMI Features
Written By: Belinda Otas
Photo Credits: None
Caption: None
.
When you first meet Pauline Malefane, you are forced to reconcile yourself to the truth that this is the same person with the
entrancing stage persona you witnessed a few days before. Her voice has been described as electrifying. Her stage and screen
presence is said to be a mixture of regal and firebrand luminosity. Yet, Melafane remains reserved and laid-back.
.
Born in 1976 in the township of Khayelitsha, Cape Town, South Africa, Malefane was first exposed to Opera during a school outing
to see the production of Don Giovanni. A trip she describes as “A very strange afternoon for black kids from the township. You
couldn’t associate it with anything.” has since gone on to the world stage, gaining accolades and winning plaudits from world
renowned critics and audiences alike. Quizzed about her musical talents, Malefane explains “We are born with it. Music is part of
our everyday life and everything that we do is based on music. Our culture is very rich in terms of music.” Malefane started singing
in choirs at a very young age and admits she didn’t like it because you felt compelled to do it. However, it was more fun to do in her
high school days because “though you don’t get the training, you learn the songs and to sing in front of people, and all about
presentation,” she says. It is an experience she credits as her preparation ground for future roles.
.
A strong believer in the power of education she said, “I grew up poor in a township and I told myself that the most important thing is
education.” She studied for a Performers Diploma in Music at the University of Cape Town’s College Of Music. While studying
during the day, Malefane worked at the Opera House as part of a choral group at night. Needless to say her first year was very
challenging and according to Malefane a disaster. “I failed all my exams but I said to myself ‘this is where I want to be,” she adds.
Her determination and resilience seems to have paid off. To date, Malefane has toured 4 continents of the world, dazzling
audiences with her voice.
MIMI Features
Written By: Belinda Otas
Photo Credits: None
Caption: None
.
When you first meet Pauline Malefane, you are forced to reconcile yourself to the truth that this is the same person with the
entrancing stage persona you witnessed a few days before. Her voice has been described as electrifying. Her stage and screen
presence is said to be a mixture of regal and firebrand luminosity. Yet, Melafane remains reserved and laid-back.
.
Born in 1976 in the township of Khayelitsha, Cape Town, South Africa, Malefane was first exposed to Opera during a school outing
to see the production of Don Giovanni. A trip she describes as “A very strange afternoon for black kids from the township. You
couldn’t associate it with anything.” has since gone on to the world stage, gaining accolades and winning plaudits from world
renowned critics and audiences alike. Quizzed about her musical talents, Malefane explains “We are born with it. Music is part of
our everyday life and everything that we do is based on music. Our culture is very rich in terms of music.” Malefane started singing
in choirs at a very young age and admits she didn’t like it because you felt compelled to do it. However, it was more fun to do in her
high school days because “though you don’t get the training, you learn the songs and to sing in front of people, and all about
presentation,” she says. It is an experience she credits as her preparation ground for future roles.
.
A strong believer in the power of education she said, “I grew up poor in a township and I told myself that the most important thing is
education.” She studied for a Performers Diploma in Music at the University of Cape Town’s College Of Music. While studying
during the day, Malefane worked at the Opera House as part of a choral group at night. Needless to say her first year was very
challenging and according to Malefane a disaster. “I failed all my exams but I said to myself ‘this is where I want to be,” she adds.
Her determination and resilience seems to have paid off. To date, Malefane has toured 4 continents of the world, dazzling
audiences with her voice.
