Winners of the fifth Unisa International String Competition were crowned in Pretoria last night. Korean violinist Yura Lee and cellist Georgi Anichenko from Belarus came out tops in the grueling competition. Both will later be returning to South Africa, for countrywide musical tours. 

Lee won her first competition at age five and since then, not much has changed. Playing on a violin dating from the 18th century, Lee says her instrument is her partner in life. She also confesses that she plays the instrument as a form of self discipline. 

Winner in the cello division, Anichenko, also wowed the panel of international judges. The Belarusian now studies under a previous winner of the competition. Accompanied by the Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra and acclaimed conductor Conrad van Alphen, the two finalists outplayed their competitors over the last two nights to walk away as champions.

The competition is the only one of its kind in Africa, recognised by the World Federation of International Music Competitions in Geneva, making it a highly prestigious event on the South African music calendar. It is said to raise the bar for local talent, with upcoming musicians from around the world, taking part in the four rounds.