IN CONVERSATION WITH WILLIAM MEHLOTI NOBELA
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William Mehloti Nobela is emerging as one of South Africa’s most promising
cellists—his journey from community church organist to seasoned educator
and performer spans orchestral work, teaching, and international
engagements. While details about his early life remain sparse in mainstream
media, his LinkedIn profile confirms he is a South Africanborn cello player
dedicated to sharing his talent with the world. LinkedIn South Africa
11:10
Artist
Interview
Musical Roots and Education
Nobela’s musical story began in his local community church, where he first
encountered the organ at age 14 and embarked on formal lessons in music.
At age 16, he began cello lessons under the guidance of James Mathibi.
His educational credentials include:
Training at the Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra Academy in
2010 under lecturer Susan Mouton
Cello Grades 5 & 7 through University of South Africa (UNISA)
Grade 8 in cello through Trinity College London
Diploma in Performance from the Royal School of Music, London
These credentials underscore his strong foundation in both local and
international classical music training.
Performance & Orchestral Experience
William has accumulated extensive orchestral and freelancing credentials:
Early orchestral work includes the Tshwane Youth Symphony
Orchestra (2009) and the Johannesburg Philharmonic Academy
Orchestra (2010–12)
He progressed to the South African National Youth Orchestra (2013)
and was associated with the KwaZuluNatal Philharmonic Orchestra
(2015–17)
Since 2019 he is part of the ensemble Urban Strings
These roles reflect his steady ascent in the classical music world and his
versatility in working across youth, professional, and specialist ensembles.
Teaching, Theatre & Studio Work
Beyond performance, William has invested in education: teaching at
institutions such as Ashton International College (2017) and working with
musicdevelopment initiatives including the Themba Music Project and
Mangaung Strings (2018–19).
His theatre work includes contributions to productions such as The Madiba
Opera (2016) and West Side Story (2015) in collaboration with major
orchestras. In the studio, he has recorded with South African artists such as
Msaki (single, 2019) and participated in album launches and recordings
through 2022.
Global Reach
William’s international performance and engagement footprint includes
countries such as Germany (Hamburg, Frankfurt, Berlin), Austria (among
them “Cillien”), Switzerland (Verbier), Italy, Belgium (Brussels), the
Netherlands (Amsterdam), and Sweden (Stockholm). These experiences
suggest he is not only building a national profile but broadening his horizons
on the global classical scene.
Why He Matters
William Nobela stands out for several reasons:
His trajectory from communitybased beginnings to highlevel classical
training speaks to talent, dedication and access across South Africa’s
music ecosystems.
He bridges roles as performer, educator and recording artist—an
exemplar of how musicians today often wear multiple hats.
His engagement with younger musicians and teaching projects
suggests he is investing in the next generation of South African
classical performers.
Looking Ahead
As he continues working with Urban Strings, engaging in recordings, and
teaching, William Nobela’s profile is likely to rise further. For media, concert
programmes or radio, he offers a contemporary South African narrative of
classical music: rooted locally, trained globally, and advancing both
performance and education.
cellists—his journey from community church organist to seasoned educator
and performer spans orchestral work, teaching, and international
engagements. While details about his early life remain sparse in mainstream
media, his LinkedIn profile confirms he is a South Africanborn cello player
dedicated to sharing his talent with the world. LinkedIn South Africa
11:10
Artist
Interview
Musical Roots and Education
Nobela’s musical story began in his local community church, where he first
encountered the organ at age 14 and embarked on formal lessons in music.
At age 16, he began cello lessons under the guidance of James Mathibi.
His educational credentials include:
Training at the Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra Academy in
2010 under lecturer Susan Mouton
Cello Grades 5 & 7 through University of South Africa (UNISA)
Grade 8 in cello through Trinity College London
Diploma in Performance from the Royal School of Music, London
These credentials underscore his strong foundation in both local and
international classical music training.
Performance & Orchestral Experience
William has accumulated extensive orchestral and freelancing credentials:
Early orchestral work includes the Tshwane Youth Symphony
Orchestra (2009) and the Johannesburg Philharmonic Academy
Orchestra (2010–12)
He progressed to the South African National Youth Orchestra (2013)
and was associated with the KwaZuluNatal Philharmonic Orchestra
(2015–17)
Since 2019 he is part of the ensemble Urban Strings
These roles reflect his steady ascent in the classical music world and his
versatility in working across youth, professional, and specialist ensembles.
Teaching, Theatre & Studio Work
Beyond performance, William has invested in education: teaching at
institutions such as Ashton International College (2017) and working with
musicdevelopment initiatives including the Themba Music Project and
Mangaung Strings (2018–19).
His theatre work includes contributions to productions such as The Madiba
Opera (2016) and West Side Story (2015) in collaboration with major
orchestras. In the studio, he has recorded with South African artists such as
Msaki (single, 2019) and participated in album launches and recordings
through 2022.
Global Reach
William’s international performance and engagement footprint includes
countries such as Germany (Hamburg, Frankfurt, Berlin), Austria (among
them “Cillien”), Switzerland (Verbier), Italy, Belgium (Brussels), the
Netherlands (Amsterdam), and Sweden (Stockholm). These experiences
suggest he is not only building a national profile but broadening his horizons
on the global classical scene.
Why He Matters
William Nobela stands out for several reasons:
His trajectory from communitybased beginnings to highlevel classical
training speaks to talent, dedication and access across South Africa’s
music ecosystems.
He bridges roles as performer, educator and recording artist—an
exemplar of how musicians today often wear multiple hats.
His engagement with younger musicians and teaching projects
suggests he is investing in the next generation of South African
classical performers.
Looking Ahead
As he continues working with Urban Strings, engaging in recordings, and
teaching, William Nobela’s profile is likely to rise further. For media, concert
programmes or radio, he offers a contemporary South African narrative of
classical music: rooted locally, trained globally, and advancing both
performance and education.
