Ofentse Pitse, first black South African woman to own and conduct an all-black orchestra

With little formal training in music, Ofentse Pitse is the first female black South African to own and conduct the first all-black orchestra (Anchored sound).

Many music maestros start playing instruments from a tender age but Pitse’s first experience with an instrument was at age 12. She picked up on the skills from mentors instead.

“My teaching was unconventional; nothing was on paper. The furthest I went in music was grade three or grade four and everything else was basically mentoring.

“Early this year, I reached out to two of the best conductors, one being Mr Thami Zungu, the head of music at TUT and Mr Gerben Grooten, the conductor of the UP philharmonic.