Singing past her disability
Don’t you dare tell Siphokazi Stofu the voice has no power.
The Johannesburg woman has used her resonating, rich operatic voice to help her overcome a disability caused by tuberculosis. Stofu’s singing talent won the hearts of judges on e.tv’s talent search show SA’s Got
Talent — and today she will appear in the semifinals.
Stofu, 23, a BTech student in vocal art performance, was born with spinal curvature and, at the age of 12, was diagnosed with TB in her spine.
“As a little girl I would fall all the time. My mother took me for tests and I was found to have TB in my spine. I underwent two spinal operations and I was thereafter unable to participate in any sporting activities at school. I decided to join the choir.”
The Daveyton mother said she came from a family who loved singing. It was this love of music that helped her to fight any difficulties she encountered.
“I don’t allow myself to believe that I can’t do something. Although I can’t stand for too long, dance for too long or walk long distances because of my limited movement of the spine, if there is something I can’t do, I push myself to do it more until I am able to do it,” she said.
The semifinals of SA’s Got Talent will air at 6pm this evening.