Van nêrens tot êrens: MOD showcase lights up Bellville Civic Centre

Almost six months of coaching, talent identification and mentoring came to a climax on Friday night as some of the Western Cape’s most talented young performers took to the stage in a showcase hosted by the Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport (DCAS).
 
The event – titled Van nêrens tot êrens (from nowhere to somewhere) - was the culmination of the DCAS Mass participation Opportunity and access Development and growth (MOD) Programme, which sees high and primary school pupils receive extramural sports and arts and culture training.
 
On Friday a crowd of approximately 400 friends, family members, schoolmates and government officials watched as the singers, dance groups, rappers and poets performed at the Bellville Civic Centre. 
 
The performers had the crowd out of their seats on more than once occasion. They were backed by a band was made of MOD learners from various high schools and were supported by a MOD Head Coach, a MOD District Official and a MOD Assistant Coach.
 
The crowd’s reactions were taken into account as the judges picked out three winners. Rapper Janion Kennedy from Bridgton Senior Secondary School in Oudtshoorn took third place, while dance group Wasabi Dancers from various MOD centres in Mitchell’s Plain came second. Singer Yamkela Fatyi won gold as part of the AmaZulu ensemble, which also featured Aneeshia Langeveldt, Keenan October, Eunice de Jongh, Saroney Vaughan and Lemor von Wielligh.
 
All of Friday’s performers qualified for the event by first competing at their local MOD centres. The top three will now advance to next year’s final.
 
The final showcase is set to take place in mid-2019 at a larger venue and will also feature performers from other preliminary showcase events hosted previously.