Two Missionvale entertainment company owners are using music to give hope to the youth in their community and raise funds for a local church.
TD Entertainment co-owners Tertius Cyler and Dalmain Fortuin are gearing up for a variety of events in December.
This includes a Matinee Disco at the Chatty Community Hall on December 1.
Popular Western Cape artists, cousins Aidam John and Chresville Adeneors, better known as “Lil Willy”, will be headlining the show.
There will also be special appearances by Wanie Musiek, DJ Garth, DJ Boet, and many other Nelson Mandela Bay artists.
On December 2, the Missionvale United Congregational Church will host a family fun fair with food stalls, in collaboration with TD Entertainment.
Performances from the Western Cape hit-makers, as well as local artists, will be from 10am until 6pm with tickets available via Webtickets or Pick n Pay.
The cousins, who refer to themselves as the “Hoefsuens van Afrikaans” (head boys of Afrikaans), will also shoot a music video in the Bay on December 3.
Fortuin said their vision was to uplift the youth in their community by developing their talents and inspiring other young people to believe they can become anything they set their minds to.
“The event on [December 1] is more of your normal school disco, there will be no alcohol or drugs allowed, and children younger than 13 must be accompanied by an adult.
“The aim is to celebrate the end of exams and the school year in a responsible manner.
“We are trying to protect our youth from pens-down events that can lead to fatalities.”
She said the proceeds of the event on December 2 would go to the church.
“We paid for the artists to perform there because the house of God also needs financial support,” Fortuin said.
She said she was inspired by her 15-year-old son, who loved rapping with other children in their street.
In developing the talent of the youth, who dream to be recorded but fear judgment, Fortuin said by bringing big stars to the city they hoped to encourage youngsters to pursue their dreams.
“This can be a way of developing and inspiring while encouraging our young people to use their voice as a tool to fight whatever challenges they are facing, including teenage pregnancy, drug abuse, gangsterism, peer pressure and depression.
“These are huge factors that have a negative effect on our youth in our communities, and especially the northern areas.
“These types of events are not only for entertainment, but also to show youngsters that where they were born does not define them.
“A good example is Early B, from Bloemendal, and look where is he now,” Fortuin said.
She said they were excited to host the Western Cape duo whose music was well-known and loved in the city.
Such events would inspire the youth to contribute to the growth of Afrikaans music, Fortuin said.
Adeneors, 25, from Worcester, had started recording English songs but, determined to not be a one-hit wonder, switched to Afrikaans.
Adeneors said from there, one hit song led to another.
The duo said they were honoured to be performing in Gqeberha, and that it felt surreal to see how much their music meant to the fans.
Adeneors said they started making music when they were in grade 11.
His cousin would sing while washing the dishes.
“In 2015, I invited him to perform at an Expressions Session show, and he was well-received by the audience.
“That is how we started.”
Between 2018 and 2019, they started singing Afrikaans songs.
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