RUSTENBURG HERALD - RUSTENBURG - Name a hit South African television show, and chances are good that Tshepo Ramokgadi has made an appearance in it.
The Rustenburg actor and presenter has been in shows like Muvhango, The River, isiBaya, Adulting (Sin City) and, of course in the extremely popular Generations: Legacy.
Generations: Legacy has been running for nine years. The show is a continuance of the original Generations who aired in 1994 for the first time. One of the stars of the show, Connie Ferguson has been there since the 1990s - and Tshepo has had the privilege to act alongside this beautiful, accomplished and inspiring lady as he donned the role of Captain Moloi in Generations: Legacy.
But fame has not gone to Tshepo's head.
He's still very much a lad from Rusty Dusty Town and he has his community at heart.
Born in Taung in 1988, his family later moved to Rustenburg where he attended school. "As a child, I was very reserved and shy. I did not have a lot of confidence, so I dreamed of a life in front of the cameras - but never even imagined that dream coming to fruition," says Tshepo.
After he finished matric, he started studying at a local TVET college. "At the end of my first year I thought it a good idea to get a holiday job. I went to a hotel in Rustenburg and got a temporary job." This proofed very valuable for the young man. The interaction with people taught him to become comfortable with others and when he got offered a permanent position, he gladly accepted. "I really enjoyed my job. But after five years I felt it was time to broaden my horizons, time to try and realise my dream of becoming an actor."
Tshepo packed his bags and went off to the City of Gold where he attended a audition for the Johannesburg Theatre. "You cannot decide you want to take acting classes at the theatre, you have to do a successful audition. And when I saw I was one of more that 500 other hopefuls, my heart sank," he recalls. But he made it; He was picked to attend classes. Soon afterwards he was so fortunate to get a recurring role in Muvhango.
Then disaster struck.
Tshepo came to visit his parents in Rustenburg when he was attacked, assaulted and robbed. His injuries were so severe that he spent months in hospital. "Depression nearly got the better of me. I spent days simply crying, mourning my health and my blossoming career." A nurse came to sit with him, encouraging him to hold on to his faith and his believes. "She helped me to see that I needed to shift my focus from myself to others." Tshepo then started to organise a charity event, even though he could barely move. This event was a huge success and, along with his unwavering faith helped him to get back on his feet.
"I realised how powerful your mind is and how it can benefit your well-being to think about others instead of about yourself. While my body was struggling, my brain was on full function." Now Tshepo is of opinion that nothing is really impossible. "I know that God is watching over me and He has blessed me in so many ways, it is my duty to be useful to others - specially my community; I do this to honour God," says Tshepo.
His Ramokgadi Care Foundation has been active in the Rustenburg community for a number of years already. "The foundation's aim is, mostly, to uplift children and to ensure that they attain the right to dignity, protection and education," says Tshepo. The non-profit organization lends a hand to many local causes to better the lives of people in need.
