EC talent eye break in USA

Five have privileged opportunity to audition in front of top scouts

Five budding Eastern Cape artists will jet off to Florida, US, in March in the hope that talent scouts will recruit them to a life of glamour at the Applause Rising Talent Showcase (ARTS).
Zolisa Kondile, 17, of East London, Siphesihle Badi, 20, Nathi Mantshongo, Sibusiso Hadi, 19, all from Fort Beaufort, and Balindile Njolo, 20, of Flagstaff were selected for the international talent show in Johannesburg at the weekend.
The International ARTS is an annual talent show, with the South African nationals held at the Johannesburg Silverstar Casino.
It brings talent from all nine provinces to showcase their performance abilities for international talent scout Kim Myers, who is a director at IARTS in the US.
Actors will also audition in front of casting director Rhavynn Drummer, who is an independent casting agent, booking for world-renowned production houses such as Tyler Perry Studios.
The contestants will spend a week in Florida, where they will undergo training and lessons about the entertainment industry.
They will then be given an opportunity to audition for the international casting agencies.
Zolisa, a Grade 11 pupil at Dale College Boy’s High School in King William’s Town, said: “I am extremely excited about this opportunity.
“There were a lot of us at the showcase. They could have chosen anyone, yet I was one of the chosen few.”
Badi, who was selected for modelling, said: “I am so grateful for this opportunity.
“It could not have come at a better time for me.
“I was recently crowned second princess at the Miss Raymond Mhlaba beauty pageant and now I am getting a chance to model on an international platform.”
Another budding model, Njolo, said: “I am very excited about this opportunity.
“My dreams are literally coming true.”
The oldest of the five, Mantshongo, said this was proof that dreams did come true.
“I am currently unemployed and I am not in school.
“I have been very frustrated trying to push my modelling career and it has not been easy.
“This opportunity is a breakthrough for me,” Mantshongo said.
Hadi could not be reached for comment.
Zolisa’s proud mother, Bulelwa Kondile said: “It is important that as parents we support what our children love doing.
“Never discourage a child when they show interest in the arts and entertainment as that is their talent, and you don’t know where that talent will take your child.”
Myers said: “I have been casting and working in the industry for 25 years and we offer a platform in the US that gives direct access to agencies and casting managers from New York and Hollywood.
“We scout for talent throughout the world and we give them an opportunity to meet directly with casting managers.
“South Africa is rich in talent and we make it a point to give South Africans opportunities.”..

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