The touring orchestra aims to bring South Africans together, says Chief Executive and Artistic Director Bongani Tembe
The touring national orchestra, which turns five this year, has an impressive line-up of top internationally reputed classical music talent, led by top rated violinist Maxim
By Edward Tsumele, CITYLIFE/ARTS Editor
The Mzansi National Philharmonic Orchestra, is turning five this year, after running successful tours in the past four years at major cities in South Africa, dishing out scholarship to deserving students enrolled at Prestigious international educational institutions, and funding 11 music departments at South African universities. The Orchestra, that its Chief Executive Officer and Artistic Director, frequently likes referring to it as the Springbok of classical music orchestras in the country, has also implemented and funded a successful Cadet programme in collaboration with regional orchestras, located in the provinces of South Africa.
These milestones, achieved by the NPO since its founding, were unveiled at the media launch of this year’s national tour titled Mzansi Meets the World, held on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, at Nelson Mandela Sanctuary Hotel in Houghton, Johannesburg, a venue that occupies a historic status in public imagination, as it used to be the home of the late Former President of South Africa, Nelson Mandela. The late freedom hero and first President of a democratic South Africa, was internationally hailed for his visionary leadership, particularly his wisdom to unite the country’s diverse communities and capacity to forgive his enemies, who incarcerated him for 27 years because of his fight relentless fight for freedom in South Africa.
Nicole Haynes from Mzansi National Orchestra
Tembe framed the concept of the creation of the orchestra within the same paradigm as the role Mandela played in bringing South Africans together, who for years, during Apartheid, were a divided society as a result of the Apartheid system through creating racial hierarchies that created a polarised and instable society and plunged the diverse South African population into a population that was restless and lacked cohesion.
”At the core of what the orchestra does, is bring South Africans of all races together. Through music, we believe, healing can happen in society because of its power to bring people of all races together.
“What lies at the heart of Mzansi National Philharmonic Orchestra, is excellence. The orchestra in everything it does, puts excellence at the top. There are no excuses when it comes to excellence,” said Tembe.
At the unveiling of this year’s tour programme, that will see the orchestra perform in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Gqeberha in Eastern Cape, as well as holding master classes with students, led by internationally acclaimed violinist Maxim Vengerov, in the words of Tembe, is “one of the Top 10 violinists in the world”, among other initiatives that the touring orchestra undertakes annually during its tour.
Ït is an honour to join Mzansi National Philharmonic Orchestra for this landmark 5th anniversary celebration,” says Vengerov. He adds,” South Africa possesses an incredible depth of musical spirit and talent. Performing the monumental Brahm’s Violin Concerto with this outstanding orchestra, coupled with the opportunity to work directly with young local string players in a master class, makes Mzansi Meets the World, a truly special project for me.”
Tembe said that he was grateful that Vengerov had agreed to hold the master class for free.
Also of significance for this year’s tour, apart from Vengerov, is the fact that the NPO has roped in acclaimed American conductor Joseph Young. The acclaimed conductor returns to South Africa to conduct the tour’s full programme.
“Leading the Mzansi National Philharmonic Orchestra for this landmark national tour is a privilege for me. The energy and artistry within this orchestra are exceptional. From the lush colours of the new South African work to the grand scale of Saint Saens’ Organ Symphony, we have designed a breath-taking programme that celebrates both South Africa’s rich heritage and its vibrant place on the global classical stage,” says Young.
The programme for this year’s tour, includes Brahm’s Violin Concerto, Saint-Saens’ Symphony No.3, (Organ Symphony), and a new South African composition, commissioned especially for this South African milestone.
“Five years ago, we began a remarkable journey – to build an orchestra that belongs to all South Africans, and to share the extraordinary power of music to transform lives and bring South African together,” says Tembe.
Concert Schedules and venues
Johannesburg: Linder Auditorium, Thursday 3 December, 19:30
Cape Town: Cape Town City Hall, Sunday, 6 December, 2026, 18:00
Gqeberha:Feather Market centre, Tuesday, 8 December, 2026, 18:30
Ticket Information
Bookings are open exclusively online via Quicket. www.quicket.co.za
Ticket Prices: R200-R1000.