BLUFF karaoke king Casper is crooning his way to the Talent for Africa nationals.
THe 12-year-old Dirkie-Uys Primary School pupil took to the stage for the first time only a year ago.
Casper Johannes van Wyk, or CJ said: “We always used to sing at home and my dad decided to bring me to karaoke. I sang My Heart Will Go On by Celine Dion and the crowd loved it. Since then I have been singing almost every weekend. When I take the stage, everyone stops and listens.”
His mother, Tersia van Wyk can barely conceal the tears in her eyes as she speaks about her son. She said he was approached by people to enter competitions.
“At first I was too shy but I eventually decided to try,” said CJ.
As there were no auditions in KZN he sent in a recording and got the necessary votes to make it into the nationals of the Talent for Africa contest.
“I was so excited and proud. It brings tears to my eyes hearing him sing,” said Tersia.
In the competition to be held at the Roodepoort Theatre from 5 to 8 April, he will perform five songs. “I have chosen the Sound of Silence, Everything I Do, Have You Ever Seen the Rain, Proud Mary and The Writing’s on the Wall because they are the ones I do well.”
Karaoke host, Stuart van Wyk (no relation) said the crowd enjoys CJ’s singing.
“He has improved fantastically since he first started,” said Stuart.
In preparation for his first competition CJ is using a voice coach. “I never used to prepare before singing – I could just go on stage and do it.” Now, he has been advised to warm up for 30minutes and drink ginger and honey tea.
To get him to follow in the footsteps of his idol, Bon Jovi, the family is doing a raffle to raise funds. “The cost of getting to the nationals is too much for us so we are hoping to raise the money through the support of the community,” said Tersia.
“His singing really is good and we are doing what we can to help him, including selling CDs of his singing,” said Charlene van Wyk (also no relation), owner of Wagon Wheel where CJ performs nearly every week.
“I hope to pursue a singing career and this competition is the first step towards that,” said CJ.
To help him, call Tersia on 062-570-3996 or email tersia.vanwyk19820529@gmail.com.
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