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WC singer given opportunity to pursue his love for Opera in Germany

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A young opera singer from Knysna in the Southern Cape will be jetting off to Germany in January to study abroad. 29-year-old Xolane Marmam is currently completing his postgraduate diploma in music at the University of Cape Town.

Already an accomplished tenor, he aims to add the position of opera director to his resume.

Marman has received tremendous support from his community.

From humble beginnings to the international stage, Marman was born in Flenters one of the poorest areas of Knysna.

While passionate about singing from a young age, he eventually ended up studying accountancy.

He then decided change his destiny and follow his dream.

Xolane Marmam says, “I would listen to opera CD’s by Luciano Pavarotti and I fell in love with the sound that he is making and at school when we used to do choir competitions I used to do solo parts and then that’s when the passion started.”

His family, friends and community have always given him support, proud that he’s branching out in opera by pursuing directing.

His mother Thandela Marma says, “He was around three-years-old when his love for music began. He would wake us up at night and sing for us, then ask for 50 cents.”

Another Opera singer, Athenkosi Hoyi, who is a soprano says, “I remember when we used to practice together and then he would say ‘Chomi, why don’t you do this. When you sing that line why don’t you change this?’ etc. That’s how it all started … this whole directing thing for him.”

The local community has also given him financial support, enabling him to pursue his passion.

Joan Huskisson of the Rotary club of Knysna says, “We delighted to be able to support him. We are buying his air ticket and we will also be able to give him some spending money for the time he’s going to be working in Germany.”

Marman will perform at two benefit concerts in Cape Town in December.

The money will be used to cover expenses for his German tour.

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