Big little deal
Jade’s been offered the job of her dreams but there are a couple of snags in the small print…
When troubled athlete Jade (Gaosi Raditholo) joined the ASA gym in January 2017, she was struggling with her performance and wasn’t competitive. But her trainer Odessa (Tahlra Seyed) motivated her and she’s upped her game – and then some! On Monday 8 May, Jade is handed a contract by athletic company Sweat 3000 to be their new ambassador.
BIG DREAMS
Being the brand’s public face means that Jade will be promoting Sweat 3000 at events and wearing their range of sports gear. Apart from endorsing a healthy lifestyle, Jade will be expected to give talks at youth centres, schools and at kids’ gatherings and that’s “all good”, says Gaosi. “Sweat 3000 wants to empower and encourage the youth to take to sports as opposed to being on the streets and abusing drugs”. And they’re willing to fill Jade’s pockets with cash if she matches their expectations. But there’s a huge flashing light as Jade scans her contract. “She’s so excited by this deal,” explains Gaosi, “but then she reads a clause that says while working for Sweat 3000, she can’t be in a relationship. That’s taking away the one thing that means most to her – her new girlfriend.” Jade started dating ex- cop Eshe (Swankie Mafoko) in March 2017 and they’re solid now after a hiccup or two. “Eshe is Jade’s rock,” explains Gaosi, but when Jade tells her about her contract’s clause, Eshe isn’t impressed. “Jade’s decision will determine the future of their relationship, but there’s tremendous pressure from ASA co-manager Botho (Moliehli Makobane) for her to take the contract…” says Gaosi.
SMALL PRINT
This is forcing the youngster into a corner and Gaosi adds that “she’s got this huge decision to make with this deal: her career or her relationship. There’s a fair amount of turbulence between Jade and Eshe because of this contract, but at this point, Jade is fighting to be with Jade because she’s invested in their relationship”. But the money is good and Sweat 3000 is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity… so Jade signs on the dotted line on Tuesday 9 May and joins the Sweat 3000 team. Thing is, Eshe’s happy… they’re staying together but they’re going to keep it hush-hush – and that means no public displays of affection from Eshe. That, for right now, seems to be okay…