Ten-year-old pianist Sinran Emilie Yang from Johannesburg won the 37th Hubert van der Spuy National Music Competition, held at the Endler Hall, Stellenbosch University, from 22 to 26 September.
Yang received the Johanna van der Spuy Memorial First Prize of R20 000 and a gold medal, along with an invitation to perform as soloist with the University of Stellenbosch Symphony Orchestra (Usso) at the opening ceremony of the 2027 competition.
The top three with Prof Hubert van der Spuy and Dr Marlene le Roux (patron). 
Top eight finalists with adjudicators. 
From left, back: Dr Waldo Weyer (adjudicator), Jean-Louise Moolman (adjudicator), Hilda Boonzaaier, Prof Hubert van der Spuy (founder) Front: Sinran Emilie Yang (winner), Dr Marlene le Roux (patron), Pamela Kierman (adjudicator)
Thirteen-year-old flautist Henning Bouwer, also from Johannesburg, was awarded the Betsie Clüver Memorial Second Prize of R15 000 and a silver medal, while 12-year-old clarinettist Benjamin Monvoisin from Bellville, a learner at the Hugo Lambrechts Music Centre in Parow, received the Joseph Stanford Memorial Third Prize of R10 000 and a bronze medal.
Monvoisin was the only Western Cape finalist among the eight selected from 47 participants aged 13 and younger. He has played the clarinet since the age of four and recently performed with the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra.
The other finalists were pianist Adriaan Spies (12), trumpeter Emmanuel Spies (10), and pianist Derren Hsu (7), all from Durban, KwaZulu-Natal; pianist Hanna Marais (10) from Pretoria, Gauteng; and cellist Juliette Nel (13) from Walvis Bay, Namibia.
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Two winners, one teacher
Yang is taught by Pauline Nossel, who also taught last year’s winner, Agnes Huang. Nossel received an honorary tribute at the opening ceremony for her contribution to music education.
Huang returned to the Endler Hall stage at the opening ceremony to perform Felix Mendelssohn’s Piano Concerto No. 2 in D minor with the Usso, conducted by Reghardt Kühn. She described the competition as a significant achievement which she said had given her valuable stage experience and increased confidence.
Almost four decades of young talent
The competition, presented by the Tygerberg Branch of the South African Society of Music Teachers (SASMT), was initiated in 1989 by Professor Hubert van der Spuy, then head of the Music Department at the University of the Western Cape, as an instrumental competition for primary school learners. It was initially sponsored by Sanlam and known as the Sanlam National Music Competition until 2010, when it was renamed in honour of its founder.
Hilda Boonzaaier, chairperson of the SASMT Tygerberg Branch, described the branch’s partnership with the competition as one that encourages and nurtures some of South Africa’s finest young talent. She paid tribute to teachers and parents for their tireless input, skill and encouragement.
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