Uber Driver in South Africa Goes Viral for His Sensational Opera Singing
Having ordered many Uber rides in my day, I’ve met quite a few entertaining drivers. It’s not surprising that they often tell the most hilarious stories – if you’re responsible for transporting strangers every day, it’s highly likely that you’ll run into some interesting characters.
That being said, I have yet to meet a driver who can entertain with an opera number — but if I ever take a trip to Durban, South Africa, I just might.
Uber driver Menzi Mngoma is going viral for his incredible singing talent. He demonstrates his skill during drives. In the meantime, he’s earning money to support his parents, children and fiancée.
Mngoma, 27, became an Uber driver to network with passengers who might have connections with those in the music industry.
“You need to be well-connected to go overseas,” Mngoma told NPR.
Mngoma is finally being rewarded for his hard work and patience. It all started when he was assigned to pick up Kim Davey, who was in the area for business.
During the drive, the two struck up a conversation about Mngoma’s aspirations.
“Menzi and I started engaged in general conversation,” Davey told Liftable, a section of The Western Journal. “I soon discovered that he is in fact an Opera singer who, due to lack of opportunities in South Africa, became an Uber driver to support his family. Not letting the unique opportunity pass me by, I asked Menzi if he wouldn’t mind singing for me.”
He sang a few arias for Davey, who recorded the performance on her phone.
“I got instant goosebumps!” she told Liftable. “The experience was completely surreal. I asked his permission to film him singing.”
Davey took to social media to help her driver locate an agent.
“No opportunities for him in South Africa, he has resorted to being an uber driver to earn a living,” Davey captioned the videos on Facebook. “What a talented and special human being. Any agents out there who could assist him in making his dreams come true….message me!”
It wasn’t long before Mngoma’s videos attracted thousands of likes and a flood of encouraging comments. Soon, the viral videos reached those in the music industry. Mngoma was invited to audition for Cape Town Opera and is hoping to perform at iPOP, an international talent show in Los Angeles.
Recently, Mngoma was able to reach an incredible milestone. He recorded his first single, “Feel The Love,” with a music producer in his hometown of Durban. Although the song leans toward the pop genre, it is a huge achievement for the aspiring opera singer.
Davey, who keeps in touch with Mngoma, has been thrilled to watch the talented singer achieve his goals.
“From the moment I started chatting to Menzi in the Uber, I just knew he was a kind and special soul,” she said.
For Mngoma, all the sudden attention is a childhood dream come true. Mostly self-taught, he’s been refining his opera talent since he was 14.
“It [made] me feel so unique around my age group,” Mngoma said. “Most people listened to R&B.”
The singer is still treating Uber passengers to car ride performances, but he’ll soon be entertaining audiences on a stage at a Cape Town performance. You can also support his trip to iPOP at GoTalent.co.
“Nothing in life is coincidence, we were put in one another’s paths for a reason,” Davey told Liftable. “As much as Menzi says that I have changed his life, he too has had a profound impact on mine. We have been blessed with a beautiful friendship and I look forward to whatever this journey has in store for us.”
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