Ofentse Pitse is a creative visionary, an enthusiast of art, music and architecture. Born andraised in Mabopane, Pretoria, Ofentse discovered her deep and abiding love for music in her vibrant hometown. Her family was active in the Salvation Army, and it was there that she first encountered the famous brass band, learning to play the English horn, trumpet, flugelhorn, and cornet. Her academic achievements include earning a Master’s of Architecture from Wits University, a degree she pursued in honor of her late mother, Pearl Matshidiso Pitse.
Her journey into music was largely informal, but her passion was unstoppable. In 2017, she started a youth choir in Katlehong, hand-picking classically trained young people. Realizing that there was no all-black classical orchestra in the world, Pitse expanded the choir into Anchored Sound, a 40-piece symphony orchestra with a 25-member choir. Under the mentorship of Thami Zungu, the then head of music at Tshwane University of Technology (TUT), and Gerben Grooten, conductor of the University of Pretoria Philharmonic, she transitioned from musician to conductor.
Ofentse’s drive and determination have been instrumental in her success. “I want to drive inclusivity because it’s hard for women to belong in a boardroom or a sound stage,” she says. “As a black woman, I have had to learn how to assert myself in male-dominated environments and defend my work and dreams.” This vision fuels her purpose and encourages women who look like her to see that they can belong in spaces traditionally dominated by men.
Her influence extends beyond South Africa. Ofentse placed the country on the world map when she was chosen to work on a secret project for Netflix, celebrating Alicia Keys’ 20-year anniversary of the song “If I Ain’t Got You” as part of The Bridgerton spin-off, Queen Charlotte. The project involved a 74 piece all-women-of-color ensemble, with Pitse orchestrating and being a part of the concept for the reimagined orchestral version of the song. She was also approached to be part of the Netflix Africa promo for Queen Charlotte, where she reimagined 2Face’s classic, “African Queen,” featuring Msaki from South Africa, Nikita from Kenya, and Fave from Nigeria.
In June 2024, Ofentse conducted the Redbull Symphonic Orchestra with Kabza De Small at Johannesburg’s Gold Reef City, showcasing her growing influence in the music industry.
Reflecting on the experience, she expressed, “The experience was really inspiring because my vision and my intention for orchestra was always to see it in spaces that you would normally not see it. The fact that I was able to collaborate with an artist who is very intentional and high-level about his craft felt natural. It was important to be doing something of this nature in our lifetime and for the culture, for the generation that’s going to see what’s possible and break the boundaries of what is seen as should be done in classical music. I would say that it was one of my best collaborations yet.”
Pitse’s achievements are numerous. She founded Anchored Sound, the first-ever fully black conducted and operated orchestra on the continent. The ensemble grew from a youth choir to a 40-piece symphony orchestra with a 25-member choir. As the youngest African woman to create and conduct an orchestra, she has worked tirelessly to push the boundaries of classical music. Her collaborations with established classical musicians and artists from other genres have helped her orchestra tackle a diverse range of music.
Despite the challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, Pitse kept Anchored Sound practicing, overcoming hurdles faced by the rest of the world. Her resilience and dedication have ensured that the orchestra continued to thrive, inspiring many with their performances and breaking new ground in the classical music world.
Pitse’s accomplishments have not gone unnoticed. In 2019, she was named the first black South African woman to lead an all-black orchestra. When asked about the experience, Pitse shared, “When I received the title, I discovered it at the same time as everyone else. I didn’t start my brand to prove a point; I initiated it to give back to the young, disadvantaged youth in the communities I frequented. This title came with significant responsibility, and rather than celebrating too much, I recognized the pressure it entailed. I had to reach out to other conductors for mentorship and guidance, as my educational background is in architecture. Realizing the importance of truly owning this title and representing a field where women, particularly women of colour, are severely underrepresented was a huge responsibility for me, and I didn’t take it for granted. I hope that through my work, we can change the narrative of being the first and only. I want to inspire others to follow in my footsteps, as I believe there are countless opportunities and spaces for us in the classical music world, especially for young women of colour. This title came with a sense of duty, and I am committed to fulfilling it.”
When asked about the advice she would give to someone wanting to follow in her footsteps, Pitse candidly replied, “I mean, I make it look good, but it’s been a painful journey. You lose a lot in trying to build what I have built and also what I am building. It needs a lot of resilience. You need to put in your 10,000 hours and there are things I don’t even post about like the 5am wake up time that I have to observe each and every day in order to practice, in order to read, in order to listen, in order to observe, in order to analyze scores. It takes a lot of grit. It takes a lot of sacrifice and you have to want it beyond just looking good in the career. So I would say that my space and my place in what I do has always been fueled with purpose so I do it from a purpose perspective. And because I know that this is what I’m meant to do, I never cry over the things that are required. So you have to put in the 10,000 hours, you get good mentors, you show up, you’re the first one and you’re the last one out, and you constantly look at getting better and better.”.
Discussing the challenges she has faced along the way, Ofentse stated, “ I face challenges all the time. I think I’m at a point where I’ve become a bit stoic to the things that happen. You lose the people that you started with because the vision is heavy at times and being someone who gets bothered by what I have to do and the magnitude of what I need to achieve. I understand and have understood why some people fall off the way. But also some challenges is that you get sponsors or investors who say they’ll invest in your project and then they pull out last minute leaving you with this huge debt, breaking trust with people that you came up with. And unfortunately, that’s sometimes a common story. Sometimes you have people who cancel on you on certain things that you are so passionate about that you believe in and those are the things that you kind of have to accept and take a nap, wake up and think of the next thing that you’re going to do. There’s also the challenge of needing to follow the academic route in the classical music space. So I’ve gone there, I’ve been mentored. So my teaching and journey have been unconventional. Subsequently, I am now looking to pursue academia, not just to claim I can conduct, but to have something to back it up. Those are the challenges I face. There are certain prejudices that exist that shouldn’t, and you don’t often see Black females on the podium. Breaking that stereotype and generations of stigma around women conductors has been very difficult. But we soldier on, and hopefully, one day it won’t be such a barrier.”
Regarding her future plans, Ofentse remains as enigmatic as ever. She prefers to move in silence, revealing her projects only when they are ready. Currently, many of her activities are corporate-based, working with private clients. She is also focused on planning for 2025, hinting at exciting developments that she believes will surpass her achievements in 2018.
Pitse encourages people to stay tuned to her social media platforms and website, where she will post all her announcements and collaborations. Pitse’s journey from Mabopane to conducting and working with prestigious musicians in the orchestral space, is a testament to her resilience and unwavering commitment to her vision. Ofentse Pitse continues to make history, inspiring many with her dedication and proving that there are no limits to what can be achieved.
She is a beacon of hope for many young South Africans who may fall prey to their environments or circumstances. Through her groundbreaking work with Anchored Sound, Ofentse shows that passion and perseverance can overcome any obstacle. Her achievements not only elevate the status of Black African composers but also provide a powerful example for future generations. By breaking barriers and challenging stereotypes, she encourages young people to pursue their dreams, no matter how insurmountable they may seem. Indeed, she ran so we could walk.