Local artists brought their skills to Lentegeur during a recent video shoot – and also left their mark, in the form of a painting of two local artists on a wall in the area.
The shoot, undertaken by BruinChild Media, Kingdom Builders and various organisations was for a music video by Donovan “Big D” Petersen. It featured well-known Afrikaans hip hop artist Marvin “Cream Machine“ Van Wyk, whose image was painted on a wall alongside that of Big D.
During the event, on Wednesday March 16, they also served lunch to youngsters from the area.
Lentegeur resident Willemina Kapiera, affectionately known as Aunty Mina, donated the wall of her house for this project.
“I never thought this could happen to someone like me,“ said Big D of working with Cream Machine on the video.
“It was a great highlight. The track was another feeling but shooting the music video was something else. Never did I think my face would be on a wall. It is awesome and huge for me,” he said.
Member of the group, Theresa Appollis said: “We want to inspire the youth and teach them that there is more to life than gangsters and drugs.”
There were also live performances by Big D, Mr MP and other local Afrikaans artists, all of whom aimed to deliver positive messages to the youth.
Alex Cupido, also known as Charlie in the community of Lentegeur, founded the BruinChild Media non-profit company in 2020 to help underprivileged artists.
“We mostly work with Afrikaans hip hop artists, singers, producers, beat-makers, aspiring actors and much more, identifying the Western Cape next generation talent,” he said.
Mr Cupido is a former drug addict who has served time in prison a number of times. He has, however, turned his life around and now works with the youth, warning them about the dangers of drugs.
“It is an honour for me to be able to give back to my community. I still see my old friends and always try to talk to them to show them that there is a future for them,” said Mr Cupido.
Mr Cupido said he had purposefully shot the video in full view of the communty to show them that even a former “tik kop” could direct a music video and that there was hope and a life after drug addiction.
“We hope the community will be inspired by this,” said Mr Cupido.