As an alumna and the youngest academic staff member at the School of Music, Ms Thembinkosi Magagula is in the awkward position where her former lecturers are now her colleagues. She is still getting used to calling them by their first names!

Before her appointment, she spent more than two years overseas, completing her Master’s degree at the Maastricht Conservatorium (ZUYD University in the Netherlands), participating in competitions, and auditioning for opera houses. The personal growth during this time was very valuable to her and she also realised that she loved her family more than she thought.

Her favourite time of the week is any time that a student benefits from her teaching. She considers a singing lesson to be like a doctor’s appointment: the lecturer has to diagnose certain problems or deficiencies in the student’s performance and has to think on their feet to find a remedy and help the student correct or “treat” those problems. This places a huge responsibility on the lecturer to continuously improve and learn to be able to better assist students.

Ms Magagula relaxes by cooking and spending quiet times with her partner, like enjoying comfort food while watching a movie. Her favourite genres are sci-fi, action and adventure.

Judging by her performances as a singer, one wouldn’t expect that she is an introvert and usually shy to speak in public. She describes performing as “shape-shifting” and occasionally “leaving myself completely” to confidently present a character on stage.

It makes her happy to look forward to a professional photoshoot for her upcoming concerts. She designed the costumes and makeup and props and is excited to see how the photographs turn out.