Greenside pupil comes out tops

Greenside High School pupil, Khanyisile Mkhize won bronze in the 11th annual National Eisteddfod Academy Young Performer Awards.

Mkhize finished third overall after her solo vocal performance. She was also crowned the overall winner in the senior contemporary music category.

The awards were held at the Atterbury Theatre and presented by the National Eisteddfod Academy, which is a non-profit organisation working towards youth development in music, dance, drama and visual arts.

Director of culture at the school, Annelize Hicks described the 17-year-old as multi-talented. “Her acting and singing are phenomenal, she’s an incredibly passionate performer,” she said. Hicks said Mkhize had a substantial chance at making it in the South African entertainment industry.

After the awards and her crowning, Rosebank Killarney Gazette visited the bubbly pupil who was upbeat about her accomplishment. “It’s overwhelming,” she said “Five years ago, if you told me I’d be third in the country, I wouldn’t have believed you.”

Hicks said the school was incredibly proud of the young performer, “For making her mark in such an eloquent manner. Her passion, dedication and the fact that she has a ‘never-let-go’ attitude, puts her in a league of her own.”

A total of 23 talented young finalists and groups from around the country competed for top honours.