SA composer Phelelani Mnomiya dies

Mnomiya, who was a music lecturer at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), died on 31 August. News about Mnomiya’s death was confirmed by a family member, but the cause of death is still unknown.

"As this musical genius leaves us, we are in awe of his legacy as a professional who did not only pursue choral music performance but poured his creative energy into composing music,” KwaZulu-Natal arts, culture, sport and recreation MEC Hlengiwe Mavimbela said.

"We are always encouraging the youth to participate in different aspects of choral music, from composing to playing the piano. His presence in most of the choral competitions as an adjudicator and facilitator show that we wanted to learn more from him. We extend our heartfelt condolences to family and friends."

The University of Cape Town Opera School said on Twitter: “We mourn the loss of one of South Africa’s great choral composers today, Phelelani Mnomiya. May his spirit live on through his music.”

Classical music radio presenter and the conductor of the Gauteng Choristers, Sidwell Mhlongo, told local media that Mnomiya was one of the top South African choral composers.

“He had a special and artistic way of capturing things. We have lost a giant of a composer. He taught us a lot about music and spirituality as a nation,” Mhlongo said.

Born in 1960 in Empangeni, KwaZulu-Natal, Mnomiya did his elementary education in Emkhandlwini near Melmoth. He later moved to Durban where his passion for choral music began. Mnomiya became a member of his high school choir and formed a number of gospel groups. Some of his popular compositions include ‘Amadlelo Aluhlaza’, ‘Kuhle Kwethu’, ‘Yekela Amathwasa Angene’ and ‘Madiba’. His other composition ‘Ihele’ was adopted by UKZN as a graduation procession song. Besides UKZN, Mnomiya was a teacher at Manzolwandle Secondary School and Umlazi Comtech.