Friends of Cape Town Opera FOCTO

09/06/2026

It is with immense pride that we announce the safe arrival of Themba Mdlalose and Mkhanyiseli Dyantyi in Berlin, Germany, where they will represent South Africa in the Neue Stimmen International Singing Competition — Qualifying Rounds.
We wish to extend our most sincere and deeply felt gratitude to the exceptional Sabine and the entire Neue Stimmen team for their warm regards and gracious reception of our artists. Your kindness, professionalism, and genuine warmth serve as a shining example of what this great competition stands for. We are honoured and truly grateful. 🙏🏾
These young artists are a testament to the extraordinary talent flourishing on South African soil. We stand behind you every step of the way, gentlemen. 🎶🇿🇦

22/05/2026

What a wonderful achievement! Congratulations to Mziwamadoda Sipho Nodlayiya — what an incredible milestone to be selected among just 41 candidates from 499 applications across 59 countries. That's a highly competitive selection rate, and it speaks volumes about his talent.

It's especially exciting for South African opera to have representation on that stage. The Cascais Opera competition in Portugal sounds like a fantastic platform — supporting young singers while also building Portugal's profile in the international opera world.

Wishing him the very best of luck from 29 May to 7 June in Cascais and Lisbon! 🎶 South Africa will be cheering him on! 🇿🇦

13/05/2026

So proud of Themba Mdlalose (baritone/bass, UCT / Eswatini).

He has been selected for two major international opera competitions:

🎭 Belvedere Singing Competition – Final Round: 31 May – 7 June 2026 (Jurmala, Latvia)
🎭 Neue Stimmen –
9 June 2026.
But here's what makes him special:
He's a go-getter. He believes in himself and his talent. And yet — he's so down-to-earth. He doesn't do this for fame. He wants to inspire others who dream of singing, especially young people from backgrounds like his.

So take a look at these two images. Notice the finale dates. And if you want to support him:

👉 Follow his journey – share this post, cheer him on
👉 Send encouragement – reach out via Opera UCT or Friends of Opera Cape Town (FoCTO)
👉 Support him through the trusted channels he already has – Opera UCT and FoCTO are the way to go

Cape Town, let's rally behind one of our own. 🎶🇿🇦

09/05/2026

🎉 Season announcement ‼️
Hey friends — we at Opera Friend's Cape Town are joining in the celebration!

Our own Luvo Maranti is rising, and we couldn't be prouder.

He just announced his 2nd season with Scottish Opera — and he's taking on some epic new repertoire.

This is going to be amazing.
👀 Stay tuned, Cape Town.

👏👏 Go, Luvo!

04/05/2026

With Operalia – I just got recognized as one of their top fans! 🎉

03/05/2026

With Oper Frankfurt – I just got recognized as one of their top fans! 🎉

26/04/2026

Shared Stages with Laureates: Nombulelo Yende’s Operalia Moment

*Fast forward to now, and Nombulelo shares the stage with another Operalia laureate, Nicholas Brownlee (2016), in Verdi’s Macbeth at Oper Frankfurt. She sings the role of Lady-in-Waiting — but make no mistake, her presence is that of a leading lady in the making. To stand beside a bass-baritone of Brownlee’s caliber, on a major German house stage, is proof that Operalia’s promise is being fulfilled.*

20/04/2026

20/04/2026

“Without your support, it wouldn’t be possible” – Sipho Nodlayiya thanks FoCTO

When Sipho Nodlayiya landed a place at the Staatsoper Hamburg’s International Opera Studio, he didn’t forget the people who helped him get there.

In his own words:

“I was fortunate enough to get financial support from different organisations. I’d like to thank Gloria Kaminski and the Friends of Cape Town Opera (FoCTO) board for always supporting me in my journey of auditions.”

Auditioning abroad is expensive, and for many talented young South African singers, that cost is the biggest obstacle. FoCTO stepped in to help Sipho cover travel to auditions – and now he’s living his dream in Germany.

We’re proud to have played a small part in his extraordinary journey. Keep shining, Sipho! 🎶🇿🇦🇩🇪

Option 3: Formal acknowledgment (for an annual report or funding proposal)
Case study: Sipho Nodlayiya
Supported by FoCTO (Friends of Cape Town Opera)

Sipho Nodlayiya, a young South African operatic tenor, faced the common but critical challenge of funding international auditions. With financial assistance from FoCTO (led by Gloria Kaminski and the board), Sipho was able to travel abroad and successfully secure a place in the International Opera Studio at Staatsoper Hamburg – one of Germany’s leading opera houses.

By October 2024, he had already performed in his first concerts with the studio, including a gala celebrating 30 years of the IOS. Sipho publicly credited FoCTO for making his audition journey possible, stating: “Without your support it wouldn’t be possible for many of us to come and audition abroad.”

FoCTO’s assistance directly enabled a talented South African artist to access global opportunities, breaking down financial barriers that disproportionately affect young singers from South Africa.

Key points you can highlight (in your own words):
What FoCTO helped with: Financial support for travel to auditions abroad – a major hurdle for most young South African opera singers.

The outcome: Sipho joined the International Opera Studio at Staatsoper Hamburg (one of Europe’s top opera houses).

His public thanks: He named Gloria Kaminski and the FoCTO board specifically in his October 2024 post.

Broader impact: FoCTO enables talent, not just charity – turning potential into professional opportunity.

If you’d like me to adapt this into a letter to donors, a short video script, or a LinkedIn post, just let me know.

18/04/2026

Check it out!