A Parkwood teen who will represent South Africa at an international competition later this year has defied the odds to achieve her dreams.
It took only a few months for talented Naomi Campbell, 13, to qualify for Western Cape colours in dance.
She represented the province at a dance competition in Johannesburg last year where she then qualified for national colours in the sport.
Naomi will represent the country, along with eight of her teammates from GSquared performing arts movement, in Blackpool, England in August and is striving to bring home gold in memory of her mother, Pamela, who died of breast cancer in September last year.
Dance coach Gio Fisher said Naomi’s commitment, talent and confidence made her an instant dance champion in the sport. She has only been at the dance academy for just over a year.
“Her mother was insistent on her joining the academy because she knew her daughter had talent to dance and she was right. Her mom would then bring her to practice when she wasn’t feeling well and other family members brought her when her mother was too ill so there was huge commitment from her mom, her family and Naomi.”
Two weeks before she qualified for her SA colours, she lost her mom to cancer and she still competed at the national competition.
“That kind of commitment is what is taking Naomi overseas. This is truly a dream come true for Naomi and it will be an incredible experience for her,” said Ms Fisher.
Naomi’s aunt, Bridgit Abels, shared the sentiment and said it would be a great opportunity for her. The family have been hosting fund-raisers to raise the R55 000 required for the trip.
“Naomi grew up in Parkwood with her two brothers and single mom under very difficult circumstances. Her mother, in all the difficulty, raised her children to the best of her ability.”
Ms Abels thought her sister would have more time with them after she was diagnosed with cancer almost four years ago.
“We thought we were still going to have a long time with her but tragically she was taken very suddenly. Naomi didn’t have much time to grieve because she left for Joburg a couple of days after the funeral where she qualified to compete internationally, like her mother would have wanted,” she said.
An excited Naomi told Southern Mail she was grateful to have an opportunity to travel and make her family and community proud.
“Not everyone from Parkwood gets out of the area and gets to experience more than what they see here so I am very grateful to have the opportunity. I know it’s going to be tough but I’m willing to put in the effort.”
Speaking of her mother’s death, Naomi said it’s been tough not having her mother around for the past five months and she often longs for a hug from her and she would have wanted her mother to see her off at the airport.
“I needed and still need her because she believed in me but I will continue to fulfil this dance dream that we both had and I hope that I’ll be able to raise the funds to get to the competition,” said an emotional Naomi.
She thanked her mother, family and GSquared family for their support and for helping her achieve her dance dream.
The funds needed for the trip include flights, accommodation, food, visas, a travel kit, national colour dance kit, costumes and other necessities.
To assist Naomi, contact her coach Gio Fisher on 083 360 4989.
- A fundraiser for the GSquared UK trip will be hosted on Friday May 3 at 6.30pm at Every Nation Church in Retreat in the form of an Emo Adams live concert. Tickets cost R150 through Quicket.