A Soweto Symphony: Soweto-born busker's journey to the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra

Sara-Jayne Makwala King is joined in the studio by violinist Simiso Radebe.

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It was in October 2023, while at Cavendish Square with her family that CapeTalk presenter Sara-Jayne Makwala King heard the most beautiful sound.

'We heard the most beautiful music coming from the food court. I couldn’t quite work out whether I was listening to a record over the PA so we made our way there' she recalls.

What she discovered, or rather, WHO, she discovered was violinist Simiso Radebe, playing his own exquisite rendition of Alicia Key’s, If I Ain’t Got You. 

'After he’d finished playing I went up and introduced myself and asked if he would please come on to the show, well that was over a year ago!'

Soweto-born Radebe joined Makwala King in the studio recently to share his story. He says his passion for music, specifically the violin, began while watching a cousin who played the instrument.

"He wouldn't want me to tamper with his instrument...as young as I am, I have this keen interest in this instrument, but he wouldn't let me touch it."

Simiso Radebe, First violinist - Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra

"Today, as a professional, I understand. I wouldn't want any 8-year-old near my violin at all."

Simiso Radebe, First violinist - Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra

Radebe says that one night he dreamt of playing the instrument without ever having touched one.

"It was a strange dream, how can I dream of playing the violin without even touching it and play it better than him."

Simiso Radebe, First violinist - Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra

From there onwards, Radebe honed his skills through South African and British registered NPO Buskaid which operated out of the community hall in Diepkloof, Soweto.

Buskaid was founded in 1992 by British viola player Rosemary Nalden, following the broadcast of a BBC radio interview highlighting the difficulties young string players in Diepkloof.

"I was a nuisance each and every time the bus would drop me off, I would run to that Diepkloof Hall, just so I could touch the violin, because I couldn't afford my own instrument."

Simiso Radebe, First violinist - Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra

What began as promising performances in that community hall, evolved into a dream realised when Radebe became a professional musician.

Over the course of his career, he has performed for people such as Oprah Winfrey, Michelle Obama, former President Jacob Zuma and  President Cyril Ramaphosa.

He is currently a first violinist for the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra.

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