Soweto born, Sibongile Mngoma is described as a ‘natural diva’. Schooled in KwaZulu, Natal, she completed a BA degree at the University of Cape Town (UCT) and completed her Honours in Education Drama. She also studied opera at the UCT College of Music and the
Accademia Musicale Chigiana in Italy, awarded top honours. Sibongile was one of the finalists in the Rolex Foundation Mentor/Protege programme for 2004/2005, along with Jessey Norman.