Although we don’t have a television I got sucked into the second season of the TV show SA’s Got Talent this week just in time to watch the semi-finals and last night’s winner announcement.
I have to say that watching the show I was so proud to be a South African. The ‘Got Talent’ franchise is known throughout the Western World with the UK and USA versions being best-known. But there’s something really special about seeing how people who have really struggled in life have found a way to stand out by utilising their talents in such diverse and wonderful ways.
The majority of finalists have not had the easiest or most glamorous of lives. There’s the Peace All the Time family of a father, teenage son and two little girls who performed the most breath-taking acrobatics, the incredible drumming group who don’t even have their own drums (they got my vote – literally! And came in 3rd). The pantsula dance group who were going to give their winnings to the community though each of the dancers could surely have used the cash themselves, and the young boy with the incredible voice who wanted to use the money to help his large family get a bigger house.
And then there was James Bhemgee – a one-time street sweeper who ended up unemployed, with a son to feed, whose incredible tenor voice stole the hearts of all who watched and was ultimately crowned the winner.
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| James Bhemgee. Image Source |
Nicknamed ‘Pavarotti van die Pad’ (Pavarotti of the Road) James broke down and cried against the presenters shoulder as he was overcome with emotion at having won the competition thanks to overwhelming public support.
According to this report:
It''s been a wild, 22-year ride for the 45-year-old tenor from Mitchell''s Plain. He was discovered by 83-year-old widow Angelique Fuhr while singing in the streets while working as a dustman and was sponsored singing lessons and a chance to study a performance diploma at the University of Cape Town. He later moved overseas and studied in Germany for four years. He spent some time in the United States, before returning to South Africa and moving to Rocklands.
Following this, Bhemgee saw hard times and was off the public radar for some time until he the TV show brought him back to the limelight.
But as the judges said, all 6 finalists were winners and had been given the wonderful opportunity to show case their talents to the country – and it is our wish that each of them are able to use the exposure to improve their lives as they carry on sharing their gifts with the world.