ABOUT
US
MZANSI NATIONAL PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA
At the Mzansi National Philharmonic Orchestra we believe in the power of music to transform lives.
Driven by the pursuit of musical excellence, we strive to deliver extraordinary performances that showcase our African vibrancy, our artistic integrity and our talent, inspiring and moving audiences wherever we go.
As ambassadors of South African classical music, we aim to make orchestral music accessible to all, connecting with a rich and culturally diverse audience to build relationships and create opportunities that were never there before.
Discover our story, our vision, and the passion that drives us.
HISTORY AND ORIGINS

In 2021, the Mzansi National Philharmonic Orchestra (Mzansi Philharmonic) was properly constituted as a non-profit company (Section 30) with a distinguished Board of Directors. In July 2022, after many months of preparation, engagement with national and international partners, and the establishment of necessary business plans and protocols, South Africa’s first national orchestra in the democratic era was officially launched by the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture.
As articulated in the Revised White Paper, which was approved by cabinet in August 2018 and endorsed by parliament in February 2020, “…harnessing the arts, culture and heritage for creative expression, education and training, job creation, and the eradication of poverty through close cooperation with all the levels of government and related departments, as well as the international community, is an essential aspect of the transformation process.”
“MOVING INTO THE FUTURE, WE ARE RESOLVED TO ENSURE THAT THE ARTS, CULTURE AND HERITAGE, CONTRIBUTE TO CHANGE AND THE CREATION OF A BETTER LIFE FOR ALL.” BY BONGANI TEMBE

ARTISTIC VISION AND MISSION
We are South Africa’s national orchestra, internationally recognised for artistic excellence and for utilising music to bring people together across race and class.
Our Mission:
- Creating world-class orchestral music experiences and touring events, nationally and internationally.
- Strengthening cultural diplomacy and branding favourably in our country, Africa and across the globe.
- Creating job opportunities in the orchestral music sector.
- Supporting and partnering with provincial and youth orchestras to create platforms within communities for the experience of orchestral music.
- Broadening the orchestral experience of South Africa by supporting emerging orchestras and helping to establish orchestras in provinces without their own.
- Identifying highly-talented, young musicians and nurturing their skills; and
- Embracing our responsibility to contribute to a socially-cohesive society with a common national identity.
Our People
SPEARHEADING CHANGE AND CHAMPIONING DEVELOPMENT
The Mzansi National Philharmonic Orchestra is led by an astute board of directors, chaired by Justice Leona Theron of the Constitutional Court of South Africa.
In addition, the Orchestra has established an Artistic Planning Committee formed with the purpose of engaging with and advising the Orchestra on a number of artistic matters. The Mzansi National Philharmonic Orchestra is comprised of 110 non-permanent musicians drawn from provincial orchestra, universities and freelance musicians who perform with the Orchestra periodically.
DR SAMSON
DIAMOND
In 2024, Dr. Samson Diamond celebrates thirty years as a concert violinist, with twenty years as a featured performer. He has achieved acclaim as a soloist, concertmaster, chamber musician, educator, and curator. With over ten years in administration, he has held roles in festival curation and artistic advisory. From 2013 to 2023, he led the Odeion String Quartet, touring internationally. Currently, he manages education programmes for the Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra and serves as an associate concertmaster for the Mzansi National Philharmonic Orchestra.

JUSTICE LEONA THERON
JUSTICE LEONA THERON is a distinguished Justice of the Constitutional Court of South Africa. She was appointed to the Judge White Commission by President Mandela in 1995.
Subsequently, in 1999, she was appointed to the High Court of South Africa, making her the youngest judge in the country at 33 years old, as well as the first black female judge in the KwaZulu-Natal High Court. She has also served on the Court of Appeal in Bloemfontein.

Ms WENDY
LUHABE
MS WENDY LUHABE is a social entrepreneur and economic activist with multiple honours for her pioneering contribution to economic empowerment of women in South Africa. She was recognised as one of the 50 Leading Women Entrepreneurs of the World (1999), and is recognised by the World Economic Forum in Switzerland as a Global Leader of Tomorrow. Ms Luhabe is an experienced director and holds honorary doctorates, including from her Alma Mata, the University of Fort Hare.

PROF MUXE NKONDO
PROF MUXE NKONDO is a social policy, national strategy development, and discourse analysis scholar and practitioner. He is the former Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic Affairs) at the University of Limpopo, and former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Venda, as well as a Harvard Andrew Mellon Fellow in English. He has lectured at various universities, including Harvard, Oxford, Chicago’s Northwestern University, Northeastern University in Boston, the University of Connecticut, the University of Oklahoma, Colorado College, and Vassar College.

Mr BONGANI
TEMBE
MR BONGANI TEMBE is widely regarded as one of Africa’s leading arts practitioners. Mr Tembe studied at the Juilliard School in New York and has performed in many parts of the world. He is regarded for his positive contribution to the advancement of arts and culture in South Africa and internationally. In 2016, he was honoured by the French Government with an insignia of Officer des Arts et des Lettres for his contribution to the arts.

Prof NINA
SCHUMANN
Prof Schumann holds a piano professorship at the University of Stellenbosch, passing on her artistic knowledge and producing students of the highest calibre.
In addition, her contribution to music includes the co-founding of an independent record label, TwoPianists Records, and the founding of the renowned Stellenbosch International Piano Symposium and Stellenbosch International Chamber Music Festival, which has quickly become the best-known chamber music festival on the African continent. Nina Schumann is a Yamaha International Artist.

Prof KARENDRA
DEVROOP
Karendra Devroop is a Professor of Music at Tshwane University of Technology, previously the Director of UNISA’s Music Foundation. As South Africa’s leading saxophonist, he has collaborated with top jazz and classical artists globally, with numerous live and studio recordings to his name. He has performed as a soloist with many prestigious orchestras, including the Lamont Symphony, Johannesburg and Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestras, and the Sanremo Symphony Orchestra.

DANIEL
BOICO
Associate Conductor
Daniel Boico is the Artistic Director and CEO of the Free State Symphony Orchestra, as well as Associate Guest Conductor of the KZN Philharmonic. Former Chief Conductor of the MÁV Symphony Orchestra, Budapest, Daniel was Assistant Conductor of the New York Philharmonic, as well as apprentice conductor and assistant to Daniel Barenboim at the Chicago Symphony.
Trained by legendary Professor Ilya Musin at the Saint Petersburg Conservatory, Daniel has led the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, DSO Berlin, Israel Philharmonic, Nürnberger Symphoniker, Moscow Philharmonic, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, New York Philharmonic, and has collaborated with Itzhak Perlman, Gil Shaham, Daniel Barenboim, Gary Hoffman, Olga Kern and Bryan Cheng, among others.

KUTLWANO
MASOTE
Associate Conductor
Born in Soweto, Kutlwano Masote began violin lessons under the tutelage of his father, Michael, a respected music teacher and founder of the Soweto Symphony Orchestra. After studying at the University of the Witwatersrand, he was awarded a scholarship by Yehudi Menuhin to further study cello and chamber music at the International Menuhin Music Academy in Switzerland. His affinity for cross-cultural music projects has set him apart as a versatile music director and conductor.

PIETER
SCHOEMAN
Concert Master
South African violinist Pieter Schoeman has served as Leader of the London Philharmonic Orchestra since 2008. At the recommendation of Pinchas Zuckerman, Pieter studied in New York with Sylvia Rosenberg. He went on to perform internationally as a soloist and recitalist in the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, Capella Hall in St Petersburg, Staatsbibliothek in Berlin, Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles and London’s Royal Festival Hall. As a chamber musician he regularly appears at London’s prestigious Wigmore Hall.

SARAH
OATES
Associate Concert Master
South African Sarah Oates has a varied career in orchestral performance, chamber music, and teaching. She served as associate concertmaster of the Philharmonia Orchestra in London for ten years and became the concertmaster of the Dutch Ballet Orchestra in 2022. A sought-after guest concertmaster, she has played with the London Symphony Orchestra, the BBC Philharmonic, and others. Educated in South Africa, she studied in London, Manchester, and New York, where she worked with the legendary violinist Pinchas Zukerman.

DAVID
JURITZ
Associate Concert Master
David Juritz, born in Cape Town, began playing violin at age five. He received a Scholarship to the Royal College of Music, winning the Tagore Gold Medal. After joining the English Chamber Orchestra, he led the London Mozart Players until 2010. An in-demand chamber musician, he performs with groups like the London Tango Quintet and Soloists of London. He also plays solo violin on film soundtracks, including “Long Walk to Freedom” and “The Theory of Everything.”

From event hire to business workshops, we love working with communities.
The versatility of the Orchestra means that it can complement almost any event or performance, and we’re very open minded when it comes to exploring possibilities. Reach out here and let’s see how we can create transformation together.
CONNECT WITH US AND BECOME PART OF OUR STORY
COLLABORATIONS
LOOKING TO HIRE AN ORCHESTRA FOR YOUR SPECIAL EVENT OR PROJECT?
Collaboration is at the heart of our artistic endeavors. We have had the privilege of collaborating with renowned guest artists, conductors, and composers from around the world.
These collaborations have resulted in unforgettable performances that have touched the hearts of audiences. From symphony classics to groundbreaking premieres, our performances have been hailed for their emotional depth, technical brilliance, and artistic interpretations. We are proud to have shared the stage with these exceptional talents and created musical moments that will be cherished forever.
WE USE MUSIC TO BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER
- HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSON

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND OUTREACH
We believe in the power of music to transform lives and enrich communities.
Our commitment to community engagement and outreach programmes is at the core of our mission. Through our partnerships with educational initiatives, youth orchestras, workshops, and collaborations with schools and community organizations, we strive to make classical music accessible to all.
We believe that music has the ability to inspire, uplift, and empower, and we are dedicated to creating opportunities for individuals to engage with the arts and discover their own musical potential.
Partnerships
SUPPORT AND PARTNERSHIPS
We are grateful for the support of our patrons, sponsors, and partners who share our passion for the arts.
Their contributions and partnerships have been instrumental in our success. We invite you to join us on this musical journey by supporting us through donations, sponsorships, or becoming a valued member of our community. Your support enables us to continue creating exceptional performances, nurturing young talents, and making a positive impact on society through the power of music.
CONTACT INFORMATION
CONTACT INFORMATION
We welcome your inquiries, feedback, and partnership opportunities. Please feel free to reach out to us via our form, or you can contact us directly.
We look forward to hearing from you and connecting with you.