PARYS PEOPLE
Ten questions to …
HLONI MOKOENA
Violinist
“ The violin has helped me discover parts of myself I didn ’ t know existed and it constantly challenges my comfort zones .”
At only 22 , Hlohonolofatso Mokoena ( Hloni to his family , friends and many fans ), is making sound waves in our country and abroad . Hard-working , refreshingly humble and extremely talented , this young man ’ s passion for life in general and the violin in particular is nothing short of inspirational . Hlohonolofatso means “ blessing ” in Sesotho , and what a prophetic name that turned out to be .
1 . O tswa kae ? Where were you born , Hloni ? Are you from a big family ? I ’ m from Vredefort , a small town in the Northern Free State and home to the Vredefort Dome World Heritage site . I was born at the Parys hospital , which is in the neighbouring town . My family is large and spread across the Free State . Keep in mind that Mokoena is one of the most prominent surnames in the Basotho ethnic group .
2 . How did the violin “ discover you ”? The year was 2015 and I was head boy of the Chris Van Niekerk Combined School in Vredefort . Our school had been without an official school principal for quite some time when they decided to re-appoint a former music teacher from the school , Mrs Erna Rademan – this time as principal . Anyone who has ever met her would agree that Mrs Rademan is the most amazing , caring and energetic woman .
As an amazing musician herself , Mrs Rademan got wind of a stringed instruments programme from the Bloemfontein Musicon that was to pass through Vredefort to do a demo in Parys . She requested that they visit our school since they would be driving through town anyway .
After the Mangaung Strings Programme performed for us , they played a repertoire that included everything from classical compositions to Boeremusiek and African songs . At the end of their performance , they asked learners whether anyone would like to learn any of the instruments in the orchestra . I was really drawn to the violin and signed up for lessons and almost all of the students and even teachers signed up . Soon , we had our own school orchestra and performed in the Free State and North West provinces , at functions , radio stations and concerts . We won a number of Eisteddfods in our area . Violin became my companion and best friend . It also became my biggest teacher . It taught me high standards of discipline and behaviour and how to conduct myself as a person . The violin has helped me discover parts of myself that I didn ’ t know existed and it constantly challenges my comfort zones .
3 . Tell us about your goals and the highlights of your life so far . I have no fear of dreaming big , I believe humans are created to constantly achieve and make things possible . At the moment one of my dreams is to become a professional chamber musician / concert violinist . Some day , I want to have my own company that organises music festivals .
The Austrian music organisation pForte often invites me to Europe to do projects such as recording Beethoven ’ s and Mozart ’ s symphony concerts , Dvorak and Brahms ’ string chamber works and commissioned compositions of African and contemporary composers . As a result of pForte ’ s recommendations , we have recently started a string quartet . It consists of me , a fellow violin student from the North-West University , a viola student from the University of Free State and a Cellist teaching in Bloemfontein . We are currently raising funds for this project , so anyone who is willing to sponsor us and be a partner of this really promising and dedicated initiative is encouraged to kindly contact me .
Our quartet has been invited to a string quartet festival in Vienna and is dedicated to provide real chamber music as well as promote Boeremusiek and African music
to our South African audiences . This is my biggest dream at the moment .
Highlights of my life so far : Performing with my fellow SA musicians on Europe ’ s biggest stages as an orchestra , such as the Bregenzerfestspiele in Austria and Renghau music festival in Germany . Also performing with leading musicians in Europe . Amongst these are former concertmaster of the Vienna Symphony Orchestra , Sophie Heinrich . Also Klaus Christa , a viola player and professor in Austria and Mathias Schorn , principal clarinetist of the Vienna Philharmonic .
4 . You often busk in the streets of Parys on weekends . What has your busking taught you about people ? Mostly , I have realised how kind and appreciative people can be . When artists feel loved and appreciated , it inspires us to do more and constantly improve .
5 . If you had to choose a song to represent the Vredefort Dome / Parys area and its people , what would it be ? I think the old folk song Suikerbossie represents the people of this area as it ’ s lively , rhythmic , joyful and has a very beautiful and enjoyable melody .
6 . You spend a lot of time in Potchefstroom these days . Tell us about it . After High School I decided to move to Potchefstroom to study a music degree at the North-West University School of music and Conservatory . This is my last year of doing the Bachelor of Arts with a Music and Society degree .
7 . How many languages do you speak ? Three so far . My mother tongue Sesotho , as well as English and Afrikaans . I can read and understand Zulu but cannot speak or write it fluently . I am trying to learn German since I frequently travel to German states .
8 . Do you have a guardian angel , and who is it ? I think my Father is my guardian angel . He passed away when I was one year old , but I hear that he was a dedicated , intelligent and passionate man . My maternal grandmother also keeps an eye on me . I spent a lot of time with her before she passed away . She was sweet , happy and funny .
9 . A talent scout visits your university to recruit musicians for a world famous philharmonic orchestra . What does Hloni Mokoena wear to the audition ? I belong to Generation Z , and of course we ’ re mad about fashion . I would definitely go for a pair of hand-made Italian Arbiter shoes in black . Perhaps a three-piece black suit from Truworths Man with slim-fit pants . A white or black bow tie and black socks . A neat haircut is always a good idea . I believe in old fashioned values and this outfit would best represent me as an artist and a person .
10 . Congratulations ! Your audition was successful and you are now a professional violinist in a world famous orchestra . You permanently live somewhere in Europe . What do you miss most about your home and the Vredefort Dome ? I would really miss my church , as it has contributed so much to my life . I would miss my friends . I would miss our culture , our way of living , the unity and friendliness . I would miss my late-night talks with my mother and of course her cooking . Especially the pap ( laughing ). It ’ s challenging to get pap in Europe !
If you want to book Hloni or the string quartet to play at your function , or would like to invest in the string quartet initiative , please send Hloni an e-mail to mokoenviolin @ gmail . com or Whatsapp him at 063 059 9002 .
54 Parys Crater Street Mile