Actor and singer Simphiwe Majozi visited Linge Primary School last Thursday to give starstruck pupils an insight into the secrets of his success.
He is best known for his role as Sbusiso “Sbu” Remembrance Makhathini on television programme Uzalo.
Since his debut on the local screen, he has become a fan favourite and one of the industry’s rising stars.
Majozi started his visit by singing and taking photographs with all the 280 children and finished off the visit by watching the pupils dancing before thrilling them.
He spoke to pupils and teachers about his journey to stardom, saying it was not easy but he had a dream to become what he is today.
Answering questions from the media, he said visiting schools around the Cape was wonderful. He wished more celebrities could come and speak to young people.
He urged Identity Event, the company that brought him to Cape Town, to try to organise this.
“It is always a wonderful opportunity for children to hear from the celebrities when they share their stories, on how they had achieved their success. Imagine if these kids can be brought into one big venue, addressed by celebrities. We would win the war against crime and drugs. It is so important that young people get to engage with successful people, to be inspired by their examples. I hope this can happen in the future,” said Majozi.
With September being Heritage Month, he urged young people to be proud and honour their traditions and culture. “They need to focus on their studies but at the same time not forget where they come from. They should respect their cultures. We are in Heritage Month, that alone should make them proud of their traditions and cultures,” he said before posing for pictures with the staff members.
One of the organising teachers, Norah Zembethe said Majozi’s visit was to give children a glimpse of celebrity life and encourage them to study hard and become stars too.
She said the visit had nothing to do with the school’s fundraising as it was said in some corners.
“It was an inspiring and unforgettable day especially for our young ones. We are tremendously grateful to Identity Event and Sbu for sharing their time with us. This would be an everlasting experience for the pupils of the school,” she said.
The event company from Nyanga that brought him, Identity Event, invited schools to join it in creating a rare opportunity for local children and inspire them to be better citizens.
Identity Events, which has organised a couple of get-togethers with celebrities in schools, is passionate about introducing young people to an experience of their lives by bringing television stars to them.
Founder Loyiso Sigenu said they are trying to revive the events that will excite children. He said social media has consumed most of children’s time but the solution is to get them and entertain them.
“We encourage schools to partner with us and stand a chance to have these celebrities at their schools. But most importantly we are trying to motivate the children. We want them to see that they can be anything and these people are the same as them,” he said.
He said his team is all from Nyanga, something that these children can see that even people from their streets can organise celebs. He said they will continue the work they are doing with the schools that are willing.
