Kensington resident needs funds to go to New York
JOBURG – Very few South Africans make it overseas. I want to go there and make this country proud.
Kensington resident Thabang Ramokgopa has been selected to represent South Africa at the Applause Raising Talent Showcase (ARTS) at New York City in July.
He was selected by Just You Model and Talent Management and American talent agent Kim Myers in 2014.
“Myers collaborated with Just You and Talent Management. They find artists from different areas and take them to the United States of America so that they can showcase their talent, get scouted and get agents. They came to the school that I was attending and they told us that they wanted to help us,” he said.
Also read: Arts and culture celebrated
Ramokgopa said he auditioned at the school and he was selected to perform at Monte Casino.
“I performed well at Monte Casino and I was selected to go to New York. But in order for me to go and perform there I need to provide my own funding for flights and for a place to stay there. I would really like to go and represent my country.
“I was selected four years ago and have been trying to raise funds for the trip ever since but my dreams have always been dreams because I don’t have money. I need about R70 000 in total in order for me to go there,” he said.
Ramokgopa will be performing in three categories. He will be doing a monologue, hip-hop dance and modelling.
Also read: Arts festival to be held
The 21-year-old is currently studying towards a Bachelor of Arts in Film and Television (BAFT) at the University of the Witwatersrand.
“I love film. I think film is an amazing medium. When I completed matric, I just wanted to be an actor but when I got older I realised that I can do both acting and dance at the same time.
He runs his own production company which he runs from his home in Kensington.
“I am an actor, a filmmaker, a dancer, director and screenwriter.
“I am a talented individual and I can make South Africa proud in New York. There is so much talent in South Africa but we haven’t been given the platform to showcase our talent. I would like to show the world what South Africans can do. Very few South Africans make it overseas. I want to go there and make this country proud,” he said.
If he wins in New York, he will be selected by a talent scout and will get an agent outside South Africa.
“I would also like to study film overseas after completing my degree. I look up to Will Smith,” he said.
Anyone willing to help Thabang Ramokgopa can contact him on 082 405 9430.
