Ofentse Pitse is a conductor in every sense of the word: of orchestras, ideas and genres. But most of all, of her late mother’s will to step forward.
She’s been up since 3am, studying orchestral scores, but you’d never guess it. The early morning of music has energised Ofentse Pitse, propelling her forward through a two-hour interview, an afternoon of taking notes as opera singers practice for an upcoming production, plus an online Italian lesson.
She’s in high demand, guided by a meticulous diary, but no one expects more from the young conductor than Ofentse herself.
She has two postgraduate degrees to her name (a Masters in architecture and an upcoming diploma in conducting), founded and has led an all-black orchestra and has collaborated with the likes of Kabza De Small, Judith Sephuma and Alicia Keys. Nonetheless, she sets her sights on even greater heights as her late mother always taught her to. The ultimate goal? To make her mother proud — and eventually herself, too.
My mother’s daughter
“The first time I heard ‘Funiculì Funicula’ was in a TV show – I think it was Days of our Lives. I was left wondering about this strong, deep voice. Then I heard it again, in a pizza ad that showed Pavarotti singing. I realised it was this big guy who I’d heard. That was my introduction to classical music,” smiles Ofentse. “It was a happy accident, that introduction. Because who was going to take me to the theatre? I didn’t even know what a theatre was. My first love was opera, even before orchestra.”
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Words: Christi Nortier
Photography: Zhann Solomons
Styling: Gasant Kellerman
