When Brenda Mamputa took her daughter, Kwakho, for modelling and acting auditions, organised by the International Presentation of Performers (IPOP), in Camps Bay, in May last year, she didn’t know that the seven-year-old would make the cut.
The Grade 2 pupil from Eluxolweni Primary School, in Site B, was selected with a group of other talented youngster to go to America in July, for a five-day auditioning programme, from Saturday July 10 until Wednesday July 14.
They will work with some of the industry experts, including entertainment directors and managers for two days to hone their skills before performing in front of the judges.
And the young models stand a chance of winning lucrative modelling and acting contracts and a scholarship in the USA.
To boost her skills, Kwakho attended modelling sessions at Figures Brackenfell Academy.
However, the young girl’s dream could go up in smoke if the family fails to raise the R79 000 required for the trip.
Ms Mamputa said: “The IPOP has assured us that they will pay for the accommodation on that side. Basically we need money to go there. We also urgently need to raise R10 000 because at the end of this month she will attend three months modelling and acting workshops in Johannesburg and here (Cape Town) to prepare her for the overseas audition. If she wins in the US, it means that next year she will leave the country for good.
“I only wanted her to gain experience I never thought she would be selected.”
Ms Mamputa, who is also the founder of Khayelitsha Modelling Academy, said Kwakho started auditions when she was only 10 days. She said previously Kwakho won the Ackerman’s Newborn Baby of the Year competition for the two stores in Khayelitsha Mall and Mitchell’s Plain.
Ms Mamputa said if Kwakho wins in the USA she would use some of the money to start a foundation in her name to unearth young talent in Khayelitsha.
Ms Mamputa said she opted to start the modelling academy in 2010 after she took her daughter to one of the auditions and realised that there were many young people who had the potential to be great models but lacked the right platforms.
As a result, she said, she has groomed many budding models from the township and some have represented the province in various competitions across the country.
An excited Kwakho said she was over the moon and appealed to the public to make her dream a reality. She said she wanted to be a model and actress, but also has ambitions of becoming a doctor.
* To help contact Brenda at 073 148 7626.
