NISSAN "SOPRANO" UNCOVERED?

Nissan South Africa (Nissan SA) has uncovered a wealth of vocal talent at its Rosslyn-based car-making operation.  The brainchild of Makhalila Mwalie - responsible for the company’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) projects - Nissan SA’s choir was formed in June 2010 as an alternative to the traditional sports recreational activities on offer. Employees from a variety of departments immediately joined, after impressing Mwalie with a broad vocal range from alto and soprano to tenor and bass. 

Describing herself as a ‘Soprano’, Mwalie is both choir member and manager of the group, whose multi-lingual repertoire includes a mix of African and Western songs.   Under the guidance of external conductor Shoni Mudau, the choristers have already attracted some attention after performing in Latin, Sotho and Zulu at the company’s recent end-of-year function for around 250 employees. 

“Nissan encourages its employees to participate in company-run recreational activities. Most are involved in sporting activities like rugby, running and soccer so this is a delightful cultural find,” said Nissan SA managing director Mike Whitfield of the 26-member choir - 11 women and 15 men who practise for 90 minutes a week at the company’s premises. 

Mwalie, whose own singing preference is classical opera and African choral, is hoping that the choir’s debut performance will lead to greater things. 

 “We definitely have the talent. What we need now is an opportunity to develop our potential by being given further opportunities to perform at work or in public,” she suggested.

STORY BY NISSAN