Eminent South African arts leader Bongani Tembe to address the Beijing Forum for Symphonic Music

Bongani Tembe, a prominent figure in the South African arts scene, is taking the stage at the Beijing Forum for Symphonic Music, a prestigious international gathering taking place at the National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA) in China this week. With over 300 delegates from 190 arts institutions spanning more than 30 countries, the forum promises to be a melting pot of ideas and cultural exchange, focusing on the theme “Diversity Ignites Brilliance, and Pioneering Elevates Excellence.”

Tembe, CEO and Artistic Director of the Johannesburg, KwaZulu-Natal, and Mzansi National Philharmonic Orchestras, carries a wealth of experience as a Juilliard-trained opera singer. His remarks reflecting on the occasion reveal his deep appreciation for South Africa’s musical heritage. “It is with a deep sense of humility that I accept this invitation to share my experience at this assembly of top leaders of renowned orchestras and opera companies around the world,” Tembe said. He expressed his commitment to sharing what he learns at the forum with his South African colleagues, ultimately aiming to enhance the cultural landscape and audience engagement within diverse communities at home.

Joining Tembe at the forum are other eminent personalities in the world of classical music, including Prof. Daniel Froschauer, Chairman of the Vienna Philharmonic; Serge Dorny, General Director of Germany’s Bavarian State Opera; and the internationally acclaimed conductor Paavo Järvi. The vaunted Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra itself is among the highlights of the week, poised to conduct two symphonic concerts at the NCPA under the baton of renowned conductor Christian Thielemann.

The discussions at the forum will delve into pressing contemporary issues within the symphonic music world, such as the mounting of festivals, symphony in the digital age, and the concept of symphonic indigenisation. As symphonic music continues to evolve, the forum aims to explore how diverse cultural influences can enrich this universal art form and engage wider audiences.

Sipho Nkosi, chairman of the KwaZulu-Natal Philharmonic Orchestra, expressed pride in Tembe's accomplishments, stating, “We are proud of our brother, Bongani Tembe, and we wish him well as he brings a lifetime of service to music to bear on our behalf at this important international forum.” Tembe has also been recognised for his artistic contributions with the title of Officier des Arts et Lettres bestowed upon him by the French Government in 2016.

Looking ahead, Tembe is gearing up for a significant event following the forum: the Mzansi National Philharmonic Orchestra’s fourth national tour, “Voices of Home,” set for December 2025. Featuring internationally acclaimed conductor Marin Alsop and celebrated South African cellist Abel Selaocoe, the tour promises a blend of African soul interwoven with classical music, highlighted by Selaocoe’s innovative Four Spirits Cello Concerto and concluding with Rachmaninoff’s Symphony No. 2.

Concerts are scheduled in Johannesburg on December 10 and 11 at the Linder Auditorium, followed by a performance in Durban on December 13 at the Durban Playhouse, and wrapping up in Cape Town on December 16 at City Hall. Each of these performances aims to captivate audiences and promote cultural dialogue through the power of symphonic music.

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