The 7th Unisa International Voice Competition promises an electrifying music experience

The much-anticipated 7th Unisa International Voice Competition will take place from 20 to 31 January 2026, attracting outstanding vocal talent from across the globe and reaffirming the university’s longstanding commitment to excellence in music performance and education.

The competition was established as Unisa’s flagship artistic and educational initiative through the Unisa Music Foundation. As one of Africa’s leading international music competitions, it aims to identify, nurture, and showcase exceptional vocal talent at an international standard. Consequently, it provides young singers with performance opportunities, professional feedback from internationally acclaimed jurors, and exposure to global artistic networks.

For Unisa music students, the competition serves as an inspirational benchmark, offering direct access to world-class artistry, masterclasses, and performance practices aligned with global standards. Masabane Cecilia Rangwanasha, the laureate of the 6th Unisa International Voice Competition, which took place in 2018, is now a global star in the classical field. This reasserts the university’s devotion to shaping futures and advancing artistic development.

The 2026 competition will feature the Classical Voice and Jazz Voice categories. It will unfold over several rounds, culminating in two final evenings featuring top competitors in each category. Participants will compete for substantial cash prizes, international recognition, and career-enhancing opportunities, which include mentorship, engagements, and exposure to global industry professionals.

A distinguished panel of international jurors comprising renowned performers, pedagogues, artistic directors, composers, and industry leaders, will provide their expertise to ensure a fair, rigorous, and artistically informed adjudication process. The classical voice jury includes Musa Ngqungwana (South Africa/USA), an international bass-baritone, and Claudia Louise Visca (Austria/France), an international voice professor and opera coach. And, the jazz voice jury includes Greg Jasperse (United States of America), a conductor, arranger, and jazz educator, as well as Song Yi Jeon (Switzerland), a vocalist and composer.

For more than five decades, Unisa’s international music competitions have strengthened South Africa’s role in the global classical and jazz music landscape. The 2026 edition continues this legacy by fostering artistic growth, cultural exchange, and the advancement of young singers.

Event details:

Dates: 20 to 31 January 2026 (Official opening on 20 January 2026)

Venue: ZK Matthews Great Hall, Unisa Muckleneuk Campus, Pretoria

Public Attendance: Selected rounds and the gala finales will be open to the public. Ticket information is available via Quicket.

To get a ticket for the Jazz Category, click here.

To get a ticket for the Classical Category, click here.

Click here for more information about Unisa’s music competitions.

* By Nancy Legodi, Acting Senior Journalist, Department of Institutional Advancement