Bay songbird’s career takes flight to Turkey
Gqeberha’s Shirley Vosloo has been singing for as long as she can remember, having started out in her church choir — and now her smooth voice has resulted in her career taking flight from Arcadia to Turkey.
The 28-year-old said this week she could not wait to spread her wings.
Though she has not had any professional training, and managed to make a name for herself based on raw talent, she said she always knew she wanted to sing for a living.
Vosloo started singing at primary school, later joined her church choir, and then went on to join a gospel group.
“When I was 10 years old, our choirmaster at Bethelsdorp Congregational Church, Lena Sayster, started giving me pointers on singing solos.
“I later joined a gospel group called Sunshine Messengers, and sang in the Westville High School choir.”
Vosloo said she was pleasantly surprised when she was approached with an opportunity to perform in Turkey.
“I’m extremely excited and overwhelmed because I’ve been praying for such an opportunity for as long as I knew I could sing.
“I always wanted just one shot, or a chance to be noticed by someone who would be able to change my life for the better.”
She said her friend, Zackree Brad Commons, posted a video of her singing on social media in November.
“A young man, Asemahle Bonani, saw the clip and asked me to join their band, The Sensation.”
From there, she said, a recruitment officer, Pearl Bulut, presented them with the opportunity to travel abroad.
Bulut, originally from England, is the owner of Index Enterprises in Fethye, Turkey, where she recruits and develops young and up-and-coming artists.
Vosloo leaves on March 18 and is set to remain in Turkey for the next seven months.
Over the years, she has competed in competitions such as BayFM’s Sangkompetisie, SA’s Got Talent and Idols SA.
In 2019, Vosloo represented the Eastern Cape in the Shoprite Top Stars singing competition at Cape Town’s Grand West Arena.
She said while in Turkey she would be based in Ovacik, a settlement in the Fethiye district on the Turkish Riviera.
It is located near a holiday resort which consists mainly of small hotels and private villas.
“This is my first time to travel abroad,” she said, adding that she would miss her family, partner and friends very much.
“However, God has opened this door for me and I am grateful.”