The University of Johannesburg (UJ) Arts & Culture, a division of the Faculty of Art, Design and Architecture (FADA) is proud to announce the appointment of Sizwe Mondlane as the new choirmaster of the prestigious UJ Choir. Mondlane, a former member of the UJ Choir turned conductor, brings a wealth of experience and a fresh artistic vision to the choir, marking an exciting new chapter in its celebrated history.

Mondlane brings over a decade of experience with the UJ Choir, which he first joined in 2014 under the leadership of then-choirmaster Renette Bouwer. In his third year with the choir, he was appointed as the administrative assistant. Recognizing his potential, Bouwer not only mentored Mondlane but also entrusted him with artistic and brand management.

This growing passion and experience culminated in a new chapter for Mondlane when, following Bouwer’s retirement earlier this year, he assumed the role of acting choirmaster. His journey has continually deepened his love for choral music and broadened his artistic vision. He is also the founder and conductor of the male choir, Veni Cantare.

Mondlane expressed his enthusiasm for the role, stating, “It is an honour to lead the UJ Choir, whose brand and heart have become my own. The principles with which Renette built this legacy are the cornerstone of my propulsive vision for the choir.”

The University of Johannesburg Choir, known for its diverse repertoire and outstanding performance, has long been a cultural ambassador for the university, representing UJ on both national and international stages. Under Mondlane’s direction, the choir is set to uphold its tradition of excellence while embracing new opportunities for artistic growth.

UJ Arts & Culture is confident that Mondlane’s leadership will inspire the choir to reach new heights. “Sizwe Mondlane’s appointment resonates perfectly with our vision of fostering artistic excellence and innovation. We are excited about putting this succession plan into action. Having trained under Renette Bouwer, Sizwe is well-positioned to carry forward the choir’s legacy. We look forward to seeing UJ Choir flourish under his leadership,” says Pieter Jacobs, Head of UJ Arts & Culture.

For more information contact UJ Arts & Culture Marketing Manager, Lakin Morgan-Baatjies at lakinmb@uj.ac.za.

About UJ Choir

The University of Johannesburg Choir stands as a beacon of musical excellence. It consists of eighty students from the university that study a range of qualifications, excluding music. Excelling in both Western and African choral repertoire, the choir prides itself in artistic innovation and musical integrity. UJ Choir has won numerous awards and continues to fly the University of Johannesburg flag with pride.

About UJ Arts and Culture

UJ Arts & Culture, a division of the Faculty of Art, Design & Architecture (FADA) produces and presents world-class student and professional arts programmes aligned to the UJ vision of an international university of choice, anchored in Africa, dynamically shaping the future. A robust range of arts platforms are offered on all four UJ campuses for students, staff, alumni, and the general public to experience and engage with emerging and established Pan-African and international artists drawn from the full spectrum of the arts.

In addition to UJ Arts & Culture, FADA (www.uj.ac.za/fada) offers programmes in eight creative disciplines, in Art, Design and Architecture, as well as playing home to the NRF SARChI Chair in South African Art & Visual Culture, and the Visual Identities in Art & Design Research Centre. The Faculty has a strong focus on sustainability and relevance, and engages actively with the dynamism, creativity, and diversity of Johannesburg in imagining new approaches to art and design education.

Lakin Morgan-Baatjies
lakinmb@uj.ac.za
011 559 2690
University of Johannesburg Arts & Culture
https://arts.uj.ac.za/uj-choir-welcomes-new-choirmaster/