Transitioning with the stars and music

By Alastair Findlay *

Having grown up in a musical family and as a member of the Salvation Army, tenor Monde Ngwane believes “the stars aligned for me” in her musical journey. Singing was central to her family and supplied the impetus for her to enroll at the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music graded Durban Music School. She studied music theory and the cello and played in the KwaZulu-Natal Philharmonic Orchestra. She also sang with the Durban Symphonic Choir.

Not unlike many Jo’burgers whose upbringing can be traced to the beautiful rolling hills of kwaZuluNatal, Monde still calls herself a Durbanite. Despite having lived now in Johannesburg for the last three years, the ties to KZN remain strong. She grew up there with her mother who is a school principal dedicated to the development of education in rural areas, and her father who is a language practitioner involved in editing and translation work.

With her move to Gauteng she was keen to continue with choral singing. Someone in the Durban choir referred her to a former membership secretary of the Johannesburg Bach Choir, Craig Turner, who introduced her to the choir. She soon became keenly involved in the life of the choir, becoming leader of the tenor section and assisting the tenors and basses to learn their parts. Having not before had experience as the secretary of a committee, she nevertheless volunteered to act in that capacity for the 60th anniversary committee, working under the tutelage of the chairperson of the marketing committee.

As a member of the choir, she sang solo tenor passages at the June and November 2024 concerts. Monde believes that the core objective in singing together is to connect with the composer’s intentions and the work’s deeper spiritual meaning. Singing in a choir is a form of communion, an act of worship and of praise, she says.

At work, Monde is a committed environmentalist. She is currently working with the City of Johannesburg, ensuring that its climate change policies are in line with global sustainability regulations and that appropriate policies are implemented. This is challenging but rewarding work, she says.

On the personal side of her life she has been on the path of gender transitioning over the past 10 years. Part of the challenge has been to have her desired gender recognised and accepted by society and she is demonstrative and vocal in asserting her chosen identity. She embraces the African spirit of ubuntu, the understanding that “I am because you are”. In this sense, singing in a choir is the ideal manifestation of this spirit in which different parts are sung, melding together into a unified whole to the benefit and joy of all.

And what about still playing the cello? “Impossible with these for now!” she replied, flashing her nail extensions at me.

• The Bach Blog is the official blog of the Johannesburg Bach Choir and is edited by Theo Coggin.
• Monde Ngwane is the leader of the tenor section of the choir.
• Alastair Findlay is the leader of the bass section of the choir.
• Please “Like” The Bach Blog. You are welcome to share this Blog, and the many others that have been written during as we celebrate our 60^th anniversary. The Bach Blog can be found at this link: https://johannesburgbachchoir.com/2024/08/21/the-bach-blog-2/