Newly formed Mzansi Philharmonic Orchestra to perform this month
Minister Nathi Mthethwa's new R30m Mzansi National Philharmonic Orchestra has been criticised as flawed and unaffordable. Stock image.“A unique opportunity for the transformation of the orchestral music sector in SA” or a deeply flawed plan “akin to orchestra capture” — opinions on the newly established Mzansi National Philharmonic Orchestra are deeply split.
But not everyone seems to share its sentiment. Conductor and music entrepreneur Richard Cock, who ran the National Symphony Orchestra from 1991 to 1999, dismissed the comparison with a national sports team. Speaking on behalf of the Mzansi NPO board of directors, Prof Muxe Nkondo said: “The orchestra is now fully constituted and embraces our responsibility to play a significant role in the cultural lives of SA’s vibrant and diverse communities, thus contributing to a socially cohesive society with a common national identity.”
Bongani Tembe — CEO of the Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra and the KwaZulu-Natal Philharmonic Orchestra — has been appointed CEO and artistic director of the Mzansi NPO. He said he will be working with other orchestras and partners in building the new team, which will be constituted on an ad hoc basis for performances — the first scheduled for July 27.
“We can’t afford it and we don’t need it; I think it’s a folly, a personal folly of Nathi Mthethwa,” he told Cape Talk this week.
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