News - South Africa, Pretoria, Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria

On 1 June 2026, Ambassador Maria P. Tzotzorkova attended a cultural event celebrating the award of the prestigious Bulgarian distinction “Golden Lyre” to Rostislava Pashkevich-Ngubeni, Head of the Department of Music and Creative Performance at Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) in Pretoria. The award was conferred by the Union of Bulgarian Music and Dance Artists in recognition of Ms Pashkevich-Ngubeni’s outstanding achievements as a composer and music educator, as well as her contribution to promoting cultural dialogue between Africa and Bulgaria. The distinction was presented by Professor Adrian Georgiev, a lecturer in music and multimedia programmes at Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”.

Ambassador Tzotzorkova congratulated Ms Pashkevich-Ngubeni on the prestigious award, recognising her dedicated teaching career and contribution to strengthening cultural ties between Bulgaria and South Africa. The Ambassador highlighted Bulgaria’s remarkable musical heritage and achievements in the performing arts, as well as the significant contribution of distinguished Bulgarian musicians to the development and consolidation of classical music and the performing arts in South Africa. As an example, she cited world-renowned South African soprano Pretty Yende, who attended the masterclass of Bulgarian opera singer Raina Kabaivanska at the New Bulgarian University and regards her as a mentor.

Ms Pashkevich-Ngubeni is of Bulgarian origin and completed her musical education at the Bulgarian State Conservatory “Pancho Vladigerov”. Her work explores interdisciplinary art forms combining music, visual arts and dance.