From Lobatse to the World Stage: Henry Nyatshane’s Opera Odyssey
Opera in Botswana is no longer just a passion whispered in rehearsal halls — it’s a movement waiting for its spotlight moment. At the heart of this story is tenor Henry Nyatshane, whose voice has carried from Lobatse’s church pews to European opera studios, and whose vision is now shaping the future of classical music back home.
Nyatshane isn’t just Botswana’s opera export — he’s a rising star on the international stage, blending grit, glamour, and golden notes. Whether he’s performing in Gaborone cafés or Croatian concert halls, one thing is clear: this tenor is hitting all the right notes on his way to global stardom.
Now based in Europe, Henry is rubbing shoulders with maestros Alessandro Cadario and Filip Fak, mezzo-soprano Diana Haller, and soprano Ana Majdak-Fak. His journey recently hit a cinematic high: a voice lesson with a legendary tenor in Vienna, followed by his first full opera experience at the Volksoper Wien. For a boy who started singing in church, it was a standing-ovation moment.
But where did it all begin? Born in Lobatse and raised between Bethele and Senete, Gomotsegang Henry Nyatshane’s story reads like a classic showbiz script — humble beginnings, a brush with destiny, and a voice that refuses to be ignored. Raised in a Catholic family, Henry’s first stage was the church pews, where his love affair with music began. By the time he was in school — hopping from Peleng West to St Bernard’s and finally Mogoditshane Senior Secondary — he was already stealing the spotlight in school choirs, turning assemblies into mini-concerts.
After graduation, Henry flirted with the priesthood at St Charles Lwanga Seminary. But the call of the stage proved louder than the call of the pulpit. He packed his bags for Johannesburg, trained under vocal maestro Carla Pohl, and soon found himself accepted into an international programme in Croatia — a turning point that set him on a global trajectory.
From Botswana’s ICCCMA Choir Competitions to South Africa’s Crescendo Vocal Ensemble, Henry’s tenor soared across stages in Johannesburg and Pretoria.
He became a finalist in the Voices of South Africa Online Opera Competition and cracked the Top 5 in the Aspiring Opera Singer’s Online Competition — proof that his voice was destined for bigger arenas.
In 2023, Henry founded Miste Vocé Opera, a bold initiative to nurture young Batswana soloists. He didn’t stop there — he launched online masterclasses with international coaches, performed at the German Embassy’s Unity Day Celebration, and staged his first recital at the No.1 Ladies Coffee House in Gaborone.
By 2024, Henry was organising concerts of his own, including excerpts from Handel’s Messiah at Christ the King Cathedral. He trained in Croatia, collaborated with South African opera legend Emma
Renzi, and brought opera magic to Maitisong Theatre.
The year 2025 saw Henry performing at the Embassy of Ukraine’s commemoration event, hosting masterclasses with soprano Angela Kerrison, and staging glamorous productions like A Night of Song, Pasta and Wine in Gaborone.
Currently based in Europe, Henry spoke to Botswana Guardian’s Ernest Moloi about what needs to happen at home to facilitate Opera as music genre worthy of global respect.
The Missing Stage Henry believes that every star needs a stage, and Botswana’s opera dream is calling for one. A dedicated Opera House, acoustically designed and world-class, would be the crown jewel — a cultural landmark where arias echo and audiences rise to their feet. Alongside it, he advocates for rehearsal spaces, conservatories, and academies that would nurture the next generation of singers, musicians, and composers.
Education as the Opening Act Opera education programmes are the backstage pass to this future. From university-level degrees to grassroots workshops, Henry insists that Botswana could follow South Africa’s lead in embedding opera into higher education. After all Henry himself has already proven the model works — hosting masterclasses at Maitisong Theatre with international stars and mentoring young voices eager to break into the scene.
Global Collaborations, Local Stars Botswana’s opera story isn’t written in isolation, he affirms. International partnerships with opera houses and academies could bring global talent to Gaborone while sending Batswana singers abroad. Competitions and festivals would spotlight local talent, turning rising voices into household names. Henry’s own journey — from finalist in South Africa’s opera competitions to performing in Croatia — shows how far a Botswana-born tenor can go.
Opera Goes Digital Forget the idea that opera is “mmino wa makgowa.” With streaming platforms, social media campaigns, and televised performances, opera can be rebranded as Botswana’s next cultural export. Henry has already harnessed Instagram and Facebook to share his journey, proving that digital platforms can turn niche performances into viral moments.
Funding the Dream Behind every curtain call is a sponsor. While the German Embassy once stepped in to support Henry’s debut concert, most of his productions have been powered by sheer passion and ticket sales. For opera to thrive, government grants, private sponsorships, and public-private partnerships must step into the role of producers — financing the show that Botswana deserves.
Opera Meets Safari Imagine tourists flying in for a weekend of Verdi and leaving with safari memories. Opera could become Botswana’s newest cultural tourism asset, packaged alongside wildlife and heritage. International collaborations, glamorous festivals, and themed tourism packages could position Botswana as Africa’s unexpected opera capital.
Crossovers and Collaborations Opera doesn’t have to stay in gilded halls. Picture arias blending with traditional African instruments, or opera excerpts performed in bustling markets and cultural festivals. By collaborating with local musicians, dancers, and visual artists, Botswana’s opera scene could create a uniquely African operatic identity — one that resonates globally while staying rooted at home.
Local Stories, Global Stage Imagine operas that don’t just retell European tales but bring Botswana’s folklore, history, and cultural heritage to life. Commissioning works rooted in Setswana traditions could add a fresh, African flavour to the global opera repertoire — making Botswana not just a participant but a trendsetter in the art form.
The next act? Pairing local writers and composers with opera singers to craft original works. These collaborations would elevate Botswana’s artistic profile while ensuring opera resonates with audiences who see their own stories reflected on stage. This is Henry’s vision, and nothing else projects it better than his passion project - Miste Vocé Opera, which is already rewriting the script for classical music in the country.
Youth in the Spotlight Henry contends that Opera’s future lies with the young. Workshops and youth opera programmes are already giving aspiring singers a taste of the stage. Henry has seen firsthand how discipline and patience shape a voice — teaching that opera isn’t just about hitting notes, but about timing, growth, and respect for the craft.
Breaking Stereotypes Opera in Botswana still faces scepticism, with some dismissing it as “mmino wa makgowa.” But Henry insists opera is a global art form that transcends borders — and Africans are proving they can excel at it. Just as jazz, ballet, and hip-hop have found homes across cultures, opera deserves the same recognition here.
Miste Vocé Opera: A Movement, Not Just a Name Through Miste Vocé Opera, Henry has staged free online masterclasses with international stars from South Africa, Germany, Puerto Rico, Croatia, and Slovakia. He’s organised concerts at venues like the Roman Catholic Cathedral in Main Mall, Olive Grove Phakalane, Botswana Craft, and The Patio Café — each event showcasing local talent and proving opera belongs in Botswana’s cultural landscape.
Masterclasses and Milestones At Maitisong Theatre, Henry hosted a live masterclass with a Motswana soprano based in Switzerland, working with nearly a dozen young singers. These initiatives aren’t just performances — they’re platforms, building confidence, skill, and visibility for Botswana’s opera community.
The Encore Opera in Botswana is no longer a distant dream. With local stories, youth engagement, and international collaborations, the country is poised to carve out its own operatic identity. For Henry Nyatshane, it’s more than a career — it’s a calling. And with every aria sung and every stage lit, Botswana’s opera scene is proving it has the grace, grit, and glamour to shine on the world stage.