Pumeza Matshikiza and Simphiwe Dana Headline Powerful UNISA VC’s Concert

The University of South Africa (UNISA) hosted its highly anticipated 2025 Vice-Chancellor’s Concert, transforming the ZK Matthews Great Hall into a celebration of African musical excellence.

This year’s concert, themed “The Year of the Voice,” marked the culmination of Principal and Vice-Chancellor Professor Puleng LenkaBula’s first term and drew an audience of dignitaries from the diplomatic corps, academia, cultural institutions, government, and industry.

In her opening remarks, Prof LenkaBula welcomed guests with a deep sense of pride and reflection: The concert featured an extraordinary fusion of African musical heritage and classical performance, with a particular highlight being the Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra’s performance of isiXhosa compositions, beautifully arranged for full symphonic ensemble.

This bold and historic moment placed African language and musical identity on the classical stage.“Sharing our cultural heritage with you is both exciting and part of our mandate as the largest educational institution in Africa,” Prof LenkaBula declared.

Headlining the concert were globally renowned South African performers. Pumeza Matshikiza, the operatic lyric soprano who has performed in Milan, Paris, and New York, stunned the audience with works by Sibusiso Njeza, Benjamin Tyamzashe, and beloved classical arias. Her voice, rooted in African tradition and operatic finesse, embodied the night’s theme.

Also returning to the UNISA stage was acclaimed pianist Megan-Geoffrey Prins, a past winner of the UNISA National Piano Competition, performing Rachmaninov’s Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini to rapturous applause.

The evening also featured the historic UNISA premiere of Michael Moerane’s symphonic tone poem, Lefatse La Heso (My Country).“This profoundly moving work stands as a monument to the history of music in our nation and at this institution,” said Prof LenkaBula.

The night concluded on a powerful and celebratory note with Afro-jazz icon Simphiwe Dana, who infused the hall with energy, social commentary, and Afro-feminist consciousness through her soulful isiXhosa performances.

The audience included His Excellency Mr Salih Omar Abdu, Dean of the Diplomatic Corps; His Majesty Kgosi Pilane of the Bakgatla-ba-Kgafela; Dr Mathews Phosa, former UNISA Council Chairperson; and international guests from South Korea’s Ewha Women’s University and Yonsei University.“I have been a passionate advocate for Africanisation,” said LenkaBula.

“As we celebrate tonight, let us also recognise the excellence, identity, and storytelling power that our artists bring to life.”The 2025 Vice-Chancellor’s Concert reinforced UNISA’s growing reputation as a cultural powerhouse, bridging classical music and African traditions in ways that are both innovative and deeply rooted.