Dream come true for star of Cell C’s summer campaign
A 14-YEAR-OLD Khayelitsha boy, Phindile Ralarala, has had his world turned upside down thanks to the generosity of cell phone provider, Cell C.
Phindile, who features in the Cell C’s latest summer campaign commercial, Epic Eric, was given a generous donation to further his education.
Phindile is the son of Patricia Ralarala, a single parent, who grew up in a township near Cape Town. She was only 16 when she gave birth to him.
She says: “No one was working at home and his father was not interested in his life and never even bought a nappy. I raised him in very difficult circumstances.”
Patricia did odd jobs after school and over weekends so that she could buy her son food, and it’s huge credit to her that at such a young age, she took to the responsibility of being a mother and doing everything in her power to provide a good life for her son.
Patricia received a bursary for tertiary education, matriculated and then undertook a cost and management accounting course, attaining her National Diploma in 2012. She is employed full-time and provides for her entire family, comprising her parents, four siblings, Phindile and 18-month-old daughter.
Patricia is a true inspiration and someone who epitomises the Cell C message: If you dream it, you can achieve it… if you just believe, and now her son is the star of Cell C’s summer campaign.
Phindile attends Luhlaza High School in Cape Town and is, Patricia says, a bright pupil who loves to learn.
He is in Grade 9 and in the top 10 in his high school.
Phindile was selected for the MH Foundation which helps buy his school uniform and stationary. He is also one of the top students in Grade 9 in maths and physics.
Like most boys his age, Phindile likes to play soccer and cricket. “On Saturdays he always goes to the stadium for the community tournament,” says Patricia. “He likes it and even understands the overseas matches which he watches. He always talks about Ronaldo and Messi.”
Phindile was selected by the manager of 18 Below modelling agency in Cape Town to attend auditions for the commercial. He made it to the top three and it was a choice between him and two boys from Joburg.
“They called again saying he was selected and must go for a wardrobe fitting as he will be travelling to Johannesburg,” said the proud mom. “He was so happy he was talking about it the whole night. We went for a fitting and was excited about the clothes.” Phindile, who wants to be a doctor when he grows up, has never acted before, but loved the experience.
The commercial took eight days to shoot and comprised 29 celebrities and two super cars, as well as 72 crew members and 824 extras to portray the perseverance of a boy set on doing the right thing.
Sharks chief executive John Smit, cricketer Jacques Kallis, Miss SA Rolene Strauss, Cell C ambassador and former Generations actress Sophie Ndaba, professional surfer Roxy Louw and musician Jack Parow feature in the commercial.