Boy, 12, sings for his school tour
A HUMANSDORP boy has become an internet sensation, with his rendition of Meghan Trainor’s Like I’m Gonna Lose You reaching nearly 50 000 views on Facebook yesterday.
Diego Lottering, 12, uploaded the video on Tuesday, hoping to raise some money for an upcoming school tour.
He got his wish – enough money to go on Graslaagte Primary School’s annual Grade 7 tour – and more.
The video so inspired Khoi Kulcha clothing brand’s managing director, Rochey Walters, that he not only paid for the trip but also helped Diego secure a gig at The Boardwalk in Port Elizabeth next month.
Diego, who is in the school choir, said he had been singing since the age of six.
“I just started singing, it just kind of happened.
“At the time my favourite singer was Whitney Houston, then Meghan Trainor and then Taylor Swift – I just love her songs,” he said.
“My favourite song is the one I sang in the video because I used to love Meghan Trainor, but now I don’t because she’s all about the paparazzi.”
Walters was so moved by Diego’s talent, he donated the amount needed for his school tour.
“A friend of mine sent me the video and I was like, wow! Then I realised that this boy goes to the same school I came from.
“That really moved my heart in many ways and I made my way to the school, spoke to the principal and called Diego’s mother. I said I want to help this boy [to] go on this trip,” Walters said.
After getting to know Diego a little more, Walters found out that not only could the Grade 7 pupil sing, he could also dance and act – something that inspired him to enter Diego into SA’s Got Talent.
“Through my company, San Entertainment, I’m going to help him nurture his talent, and make sure South Africa and the world hear about him,” he said.
Diego has been given the opportunity to be the opening act at a concert at the Boardwalk Amphitheatre on April 8.
His mother, Geraldine Lottering, 37, said she had always known her son had a good voice.
The mother of seven described her second-eldest child as “a sweet child, always behaving himself, and good mannered”.
“I was shocked because I didn’t actually think it would go this far, but it’s there now and there’s no turning back,” she said.
Lottering, who works at a bed-and-breakfast in Jeffreys Bay, said that with seven children, four of them in school, “it gets difficult sometimes”.
“Diego takes my phone and records himself. When I listen to the recordings I think to myself, my boy has a really good voice.”
Graslaagte Primary principal Roy Geswint said he thought the sky was the limit for Diego. “He’s strong academically and if he could one day get a scholarship, he could have a bright future.
“With our children, with such poor socio-economic conditions, any assistance would be appreciated.”