FEZEKA Ngondo was desperate to take her 10-year-old daughter to Joburg for a modelling event, which will be held in Sandton on Saturday, 22 July.
But the 47-year-old unemployed mother of three could not afford the transport and accommodation to take her daughter, Aphelele Shugu to the Miss Teen and Pre-Teen pageant.
So when gospel singer Bethusile "Nduna" Mcinga heard about the family's struggles, he decided to intervene through his foundation.
“Young talent like Aphelele need our support. She needs everyone of us to step forward and help her for her to be what she wishes to be. That is why I decided to help her and I urge other people to step in as well,” said Bethusile.
The Ngena Noah hitmaker booked a flight for Aphelele and her mother, and also paid for their accommodation.
Khayelitsha traditional healer, Thembisa “Madlamini” Skaap, also contributed by buying beautiful outfits for the girl and her mother. She also contributed towards pocket money and accommodation.
Fezeka said she doesn’t know how to thank Bethusile as she was frustrated that she couldn't raise money to take her daughter to the event.
“He took a huge burden off my shoulders because I didn’t know what to do. The date was fast approaching, but I didn’t know where to get money for us to attend the event, which my daughter desperately wants to participate in,” she said.
ALSO READ| 'I don't fear death anymore' - Nadia Nakai
She said she didn’t want to disappoint her daughter, but she also didn’t know how to make it up to her. She said supporting her daughter’s career came at a cost because it made her lose her job.
"My daughter's passion for modelling is the reason I'm jobless. She is 10, so I must accompany her everywhere as her mother. The company I used to work for tolerated me, but they ended up telling me to choose my job or my daughter. They said I was always asking for days off to accompany her, so they ended up retrenching me,” said Fezeka.
Aphelele said she was grateful to Bethusile for helping her.
“It's unbelievable and I’m so happy I’m getting support. I will not disappoint those who have supported me,” she said.
