MBABANE – Acclaimed baritone Lwazi Dlamini has secured his place as a finalist in the Classical category of the prestigious 7th UNISA International Voice Competition.
Following a gruelling and highly competitive semi-final round held at the ZK Matthews Great Hall in Pretoria, South Africa on Wednesday, January 28, Dlamini emerged as one of the top contenders in a global field. He is now set to compete for the ultimate title this Saturday, January 31, 2026 in a grand finale that marks a significant milestone in his international career.
The competition, organised by the UNISA Music Foundation, is a flagship event on the African continent and a member of the World Federation of International Music Competitions. Dlamini’s progression through the rounds has been a masterclass in vocal precision and dramatic stage presence.
The semi-finals saw a narrow field of six Classical vocalists, including notable talents like Themba Mdlalose also from Eswatini, Molly Dzangare and Khayakazi Madlala, battle for a spot in the top three.
In an interview with Dlamini, he expressed his excitement about making it to the finals stating that: “It has not been an easy one, everyone came ready and all participants were extremely fantastic but there always has to be one winner at the end of the day. This musical journey has taught me to closely listen to myself and make beautiful music. It is never easy competing against females but I am glad I was able to match their beautiful voices. It really feels like a big achievement to be even considered a finalist since the semi-finals were really tough,” he said.
The final round represents the pinnacle of the competition's technical demands. This Saturday, Dlamini will step onto the stage of the ZK Matthews Great Hall once more, but this time he will be supported by the full power of the Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra (JPO).
Under the baton of the distinguished Maestro Gérard Korsten, the finalists will perform a selection of demanding arias.
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