Thesele Kemane, Graduate student at the University of Cape Town Opera School, preforming in the General Assembly Hall. [UN Photo/Devra Berkowitz][/caption]For more than four decades, black and non-white South Africans lived under a brutal system of Apartheid. This intolerance prevented many young people from ever realizing their potential.

When the Apartheid regime officially ended in 1994, Nelson Mandela, the new leader, brought hope to many talented young people.

UNTV and Public Broadcasting Service of the United States of America (PBS), jointly produced an inspiring documentary on young South African opera students from the townships. The film is called I Live to Sing: Ndiphilela Ukucula and will air on many PBS stations starting 18 July, Nelson Mandela International Day.

Today, you will hear an excerpt from the programme which was narrated by Daljit Dhaliwal, as we spotlight one of the opera students - Thesele Kemane who was at UN Headquarters on Nelson Mandela Day last year.

Duration: 4’44”

A 21 minute version of the film entitled "South Africa: Voices of a New Future", is available at http://webtv.un.org/news-features/21st-century-programme/watch/south-af…