South African opera singer Pretty Yende has achieved a world first by taking home all the main prizes in the prestigious International Hans Gabor Belvedere Singing Competition held in Vienna Austria last week.

The 24 year old UCT School of Music graduate won the first prize awards in the Opera and Operatta categories and took home the Audience Prize as well as the International Media-Jury Prize.

This is the first time in the 25 year history of the competition that one singer has won all first prizes in the main categories.

Yende, a soprano, also won seven special prizes, which are sponsored by the jurors and donors.

"The first time they called my name, I was just so grateful that I had won something,” Yende told The Star. “And then it happened again - 'Pretty Yende, Pretty Yende'. It felt like they just kept calling it so much that at one point I even thought 'Please let this go to someone else'. It is so strange; I have to constantly remind myself that it is not a dream."

Yende’s voice coach Virginia Davids, added "This is a huge achievement. If anyone deserves this, then it is Pretty. She has such a love for the art form and works like a mad woman."

According to the competition organisers, around 3000 young singers from 50 cities around the world took part in this year’s event. The competition’s jury is composed of well respected opera managers, talent agents as well as numerous media representatives from all over the world.

The Competition is one of the most renowned singing competitions in the world, offering young talent a host of opportunities to further their careers.

South African opera lovers can catch Yende performing at this year’s Klein Karoo Kalssique Festival in Oudtshoorn from August 14-16.