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Quick Facts
Born
1958
1958
From
South Africa
South Africa
Journey
Early exposure to music set Phillip Kotze on a path that later established him as a South African tenor, vocal coach, broadcaster, stage performer, and music director active across opera, gospel music, theatre productions, radio, and Afrikaans recording projects. Raised in Bloemfontein after being born in Adelaide in the Eastern Cape, he began piano studies at four years old before later receiving vocal training from Lloyd Straus-Smith in Cape Town and Hans van Heerden in Bloemfontein.
During his secondary school years, he became the first learner accepted for part-time daily instruction at the South African College of Music, while simultaneously participating in semi-professional theatre productions. These early stage experiences laid the groundwork for a career extending into opera, theatre, recording, and large-scale concert productions.
In 1980, Kotze traveled to Vienna, Austria, to continue his vocal studies under Professor Marija Sklad-Sauer. After returning to South Africa, he joined major productions and shared stages with performers including Gé Korsten, Manuel Escorcio, Rina Hugo, and Carike Keuzenkamp. His debut solo album "En Ek Verlang" arrived in 1984, followed by successful collaborative recordings including “Liefde, Wyd Soos Die See” with Anneli van Rooyen.
Wider recognition followed through his partnership with Ella Kotze, whom he married in 1987. Together, they became a well-known duet act across South Africa and Namibia, releasing projects such as Saam, Liefde, and Together. He also composed material performed by the duo, including “Maria, Nooi van Nasaret.”
Beyond stage and recording work, Kotze developed a substantial broadcasting and educational career. He worked with Radio Oranje and OFM for more than two decades, presenting gospel programming and producing devotional recordings. He later founded the Phillip Kotze Sing Studio, which expanded into multiple South African cities and trained singers connected to television talent competitions.
He was also a founding member of Ons Eie Drie Tenore alongside Gé Korsten and Manuel Escorcio, a classical crossover vocal group that remained active for many years. His wider contribution to South African arts includes work as a choir adjudicator, mentor, television competition judge, and music director within church and performance communities.