A DAY OF TALENT, HOPE, AND RESILIENCE
In honor of World Homeless Day, the Voortrekker Road Corridor Improvement District (VRCID) hosted a remarkable event that brought hope and joy to the homeless community – a talent show that showcased the incredible talents of individuals often overlooked. This event wasn’t just a competition; it was a celebration of resilience, creativity, and boundless potential within the homeless sector.
The driving force behind this initiative was to shine a spotlight on the talents of individuals from various homeless shelters across the region. Contestants came from Paint City, The Haven Night Shelter Bellville, MES Safe Space Bellville, Parow Centre Of Hope, and Elim Night Shelter. The VRCID firmly believes that talent and creativity flourish in all corners of society, and this event was a testament to that belief.
Held at the Parow Civic Centre, the event was attended by approximately 200 people who came to support the participants. The excitement in the room was palpable, with contestants feeling both nervous and eager to perform. Their dedication and passion were evident, and the audience was treated to a range of impressive acts, from music and poetry to dance and more.
Out of the many talented contestants, eight winners stood out, each claiming a special title:
- I’ve Got Talent Winner – awarded R1000
- I’ve Got Talent – Second Place – awarded R500
- Mr. Talent – awarded R500
- Mr. Talent First Runner-up – awarded R200
- Miss Talent – awarded R500
- Miss Talent First Runner-Up – awarded R200
These winners left not only with their prizes, but also with the immense pride of having shared their talents with the world.
The judging panel for the event included three esteemed individuals from the entertainment and fashion industries:
- Alfonza Solomon, an accomplished actor, film producer, and CEO of Alfonzo Solomon Production, who has worked on various international films, commercials, and TV shows, including Showmax’s Ground Under and Suidooster. Alfonza has also served as a judge for the South African Film and TV Awards (SAFTAs).
- Joseph Mitchell, a writer and actor known for his stage plays, many of which have been performed at major festivals such as Grahamstown and KKNK. He has also appeared in movies such as Mama Jack with Leon Schuster and Tolla is Tops with Tolla van der Merwe, as well as TV series like Arendsvlei and Skemer Grond.
- Freddy Adriaanse, from Belhar, started his modelling journey in high school and has since established himself as a respected figure in the fashion industry. As an experienced male model, Freddy has worked alongside local celebrities and participated in photo shoots with high-profile photographers. He has judged numerous talent shows and community pageants, bringing a keen eye for spotting raw talent and an excellent understanding of fashion trends and industry standards. Freddy is now a Precinct Manager at the VRCID.
Their expertise and insight made the judging process both professional and inspiring.
The event also saw a heartwarming moment when two successful former clients of the VRCID, Brandon Brand and Liezel Swartz, got engaged during the festivities. Brandon, who is now permanently employed by Securitas, and Liezel, who is employed by Parow Centre of Hope, are shining examples of the positive impact that the VRCID, together with our NGO partners, can have on our community and the lives of homeless individuals.
The VRCID would like to thank all those who helped make this event possible, including Councillor Roger Cannon, Marlene Abrahams, Tygerberg 104FM, Gertrude Bossman-April from U-Turn, Carl Greaves from Carl Greaves Brokers, Leon Bester from Die Handelshuis, Barbra Mesham from Maxibin, Danica Scott from Shofar Church, Edwina George from Tygerberg Hospice, Muhyadm Mohammed, and Henties.
This Talent Show was more than a competition; it was a beacon of hope, showing that despite the challenges of homelessness, there is always potential for joy, creativity, and success. Through this initiative, the VRCID continues to foster a sense of community and empowerment, paving the way to a brighter future for all.
