It’s not often that we are introduced to the people behind the scenes of some of our favourite shows and ads but Tebogo Malope’s name is one you should definitely know.
Not only is he a multi-award-winning director with a great eye for photography, Malope has also been part of the creative team for productions such as Isibaya, Ayeye and It’s Complicated.
It’s Complicated – MZANSI MAGIC from Rowan Cloete on Vimeo.
He’s also got the commercial scene in a chokehold. Perhaps you recognize this ad…
But it is his most recent act of kindness towards a would-be stranger that caught our attention. Malope recently spent the past two days recounting the tale of how he met a street-vendor, got to know his life story in a brief period of time and made a small change that could possibly turn this unnamed man’s life around… Grab your popcorn and take a look:
Today I bumped into a young man selling socks on the side of the road, after a brief chat with him I found out he used to be a great dancer
— Tebogo Malope (@TebogoMalope) October 2, 2017
He says he worked with guys like Gregory Maqoma and @somizi and travelled the world with his talent but went through a really dark phase
— Tebogo Malope (@TebogoMalope) October 2, 2017
He broke his knee,got involved with the wrong crowd,got addicted 2 drugs & alcohol,lost a part tym job he had.Ended up on d streets hustling
— Tebogo Malope (@TebogoMalope) October 2, 2017
I bought a few pairs from him and asked for his number so can I keep ordering but he had sold his phone earlier for another hit
— Tebogo Malope (@TebogoMalope) October 2, 2017
I wondered if he’d take the cash and go get another hit,he got teary eyed as he noticed my face drop in anxiety for him
— Tebogo Malope (@TebogoMalope) October 2, 2017
“I dont hav d self control 2 not get anotha hit but I promise 2 try as hard as I can,d kindnes u’ve shown is enuf 2 giv me strength” he said
— Tebogo Malope (@TebogoMalope) October 2, 2017
He told me about how he walked aimlessly 4 about 20km till he bumped in2 me.& was gonna walk anotha 40Km bak home but now cud catch a taxi
— Tebogo Malope (@TebogoMalope) October 2, 2017
I asked for an alternative number & he gave me his Aunt’s,he stays with his Aunt.His story was moving and he seemed legit & eager to work
— Tebogo Malope (@TebogoMalope) October 2, 2017
So I cooked up a plan,soon as he left,I got my producer to call his Aunt and verify his story.Happens to be true,Aunt couldn’t stop crying
— Tebogo Malope (@TebogoMalope) October 2, 2017
I tweaked 1 small scene in a shoot I’m doing in 2 days 2 include a dancer,sent Aunt call time & locations and tell him he has a small role
— Tebogo Malope (@TebogoMalope) October 2, 2017
Got wardrobe to get him a killer outfit, my choreographer to plan a sequence for him and got the whole crew to be on standby for him
— Tebogo Malope (@TebogoMalope) October 2, 2017
Now if he is as serious about turning a new leaf as he says he is, all he has to do is show up and let’s see where it goes from there
— Tebogo Malope (@TebogoMalope) October 2, 2017
The Aunt is really skeptical, says he often disappears without a notice. She hopes he won’t let this opportunity go. Let’s see
— Tebogo Malope (@TebogoMalope) October 2, 2017
I’ll come back to this thread on Wednesday, hopefully I’ll post some videos of him on set doing what he does best.Lets all pray he shows up.
— Tebogo Malope (@TebogoMalope) October 2, 2017
It’s Wednesday, I rocked the socks I bought from him. His call time is 7pm, let’s see. 😬 pic.twitter.com/0E3t36MFhU
— Tebogo Malope (@TebogoMalope) October 4, 2017
Quick update guys,we running late from our 1st location of d day.meeting him at d next next 1 but running late & hav no way 2 contact him 🙈
— Tebogo Malope (@TebogoMalope) October 4, 2017
UPDATE: Now traveling to the next location.
— Tebogo Malope (@TebogoMalope) October 4, 2017
UPDATE: HE MADE IT!!! 😀 Now hopefully he can dance as well as he says he can. Will post a vid of him dancing later. pic.twitter.com/EnJBUpYbOC
— Tebogo Malope (@TebogoMalope) October 4, 2017
We just wrapped and yeah he can dance. 😀 THE END! pic.twitter.com/YVya4GlgeI
— Tebogo Malope (@TebogoMalope) October 5, 2017
Wow! Not only did he do a good thing, he got us hooked to the thread and kept us entertained along the way. Now we’re curious to find out what happens to the unnamed dancer…
Main image credit: instagram.com/tebogomalope by Austin Malema
