A little support for our entertainers please

By  | Jun 22, 2020, 01:47 PM  | Thabo "Tbo Touch" Molefe  | Drama

So  I'm pretty ashamed to say that it was only this past weekend that I found out that Mr local “stunner,” Tbo Touch launched his luxurious brand- Touch Lifestyle a few weeks ago. The brand includes perfumes, colognes and even A-grade condoms. A round of applause for Mr Touch please….

In-between my excitement for this proudly South African brand and my interest in knowing more about Tbo Touch’s new project, I asked a couple of acquaintances if they would want to be the face of Touch Lifestyle if the opportunity was presented to them. To my surprise they all busted out laughing.

“Why would I want to be the face of Tbo Touch’s brand?” One exclaimed.

“Well, why wouldn’t you?”  I reciprocated.

Statements like “He’s too full of himself” or “He annoys me” were their validation. Weak arguments, I thought to myself. Yes, Tbo Touch (to some) might not be the most likeable entertainment personality but we can’t deny that the man has been making moves not only for himself only but for the betterment of the South African economy to some extent.  

What baffled me the most is that some even said that they’d rather be the face of an international brand. Are you serious?!!

Such statements reminded me of Siyabonga Ngwekazi’s recent Twitter rant about certain products favouring international acts over local ones..

Remember this?....

 
I think some of us South Africans are still having difficulties in distinguishing the difference between a personality and their craft. I've heard many express their dislikeness towards a "hot at the moment" entertainer. Their personal disapproval of these entertainers, unfortunately overshadows the great work these artists/entertainers are doing to such an extent that we won't even support the artist/personality.  
 
Which really is a lose, lose situation. Now I'm not saying let's hold hands and sing kumbaya with our entertainers, but let's be honest some support would go a long way. Not only for them but for South Africa as a whole and maybe, just maybe corporates and other brands will begin using South African music and South African artists for their big budget projects.