Ernestine Nur Stuurman: A soprano's inspiring journey through song

Accomplished lyric soprano Ernestine Nur Stuurman will perform Journey Through Song at the Artscape Theatre Centre on Friday 25 and Saturday 26 July.

Ms Stuurman, 38, from Westridge in Mitchell's Plain, grew up in Belhar and was a Western Province athlete before overcoming substance abuse and pursuing a music career. She is now sharing her story as part of the Artscape Women’s Humanity Festival, which launched on Thursday, July 11 and runs until Sunday, August 31.

She said she was excited to share her life story, including her upbringing in a staunch Christian home and her conversion to Islam two years ago. “Allah put me here for a reason. I have the gift to sing and to tell stories,” she said.

Ms Stuurman has had conversations with various people, including religious scholars, about whether Muslim women may sing before male audiences and the use of certain instruments. “It is all based on my intention. I feel like my intention remains the same, whether I was Christian or Muslim, and that would be that my ability to sing is a gift from God. It is all I know besides sport.”

She added, “I have a bigger vision of performing nasheeds and spreading Islam through my talent."

Ms Stuurman said she hoped her performance would inspire and uplift others. “It is all about me, my life as a woman, which is part of my journey, which is not complete yet.”

At age 16, Ms Stuurman made the provincial track team as a 100m hurdler but was injured. Following her hamstring injury, she became addicted to drugs.

She attended Narcotics Anonymous (NA). “Singing then became my next thing. I grew to love it and I was groomed by Virginia Davids, with one-on-one voice lessons and performed in her choir in Elsies River,” she said.

The show also pays tribute to her mother, Mary-ann Stuurman, who died of colon cancer three years ago. “We come from a decent house, even though my dad was an alcoholic. She would attend Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meetings and make contacts with people who helped her and us,” she said.

Her dad attended AA, which saved she said "saved my family".

Ms Stuurman also acknowledged the support of women mentors on her journey, including Artscape CEO Marlene le Roux, Mrs Torrien and Mrs Sitters.

She completed an online music course through Trinity College London and has appeared as a soloist in orchestral concerts and vocal recitals throughout South Africa. She has also had a long career in operatic and musical theatre, performing both locally and internationally with Cape Town Opera (CTO) as a member of its award-winning vocal ensemble.

As a soloist, she has performed lead roles in CTO’s production of Gianni Schicchi and was nominated for a Fleur du Cap Award for her role in La rondine. She also received praise for her portrayal of Maria in West Side Story at the Durban Playhouse.

In 2024, she played Belle Gibsons in David Kramer’s Orpheus in Africa at Artscape with CTO.

Ms Stuurman said: “I come from a decent home. I loved running. We were encouraged in pursuing our dreams and now I am living it.”

Ms Stuurman said that she never thought of herself “coming from the ghetto”.

“I come from a decent home. I loved running. We were encouraged in pursuing our dreams and now I am living it,” she said. 

She said that growing up she would sing in the house but never thought of herself as a singer. 

Her performance at the weekend includes pianist Sam Riedel. 

For tickets visit Webticket.