Youth showcase talent in Stacey's honour

Ottery choir with Leo Jacobs as lead singer.

Lindsay Philander, founder of Human Dignity Restoration Foundation, in Ottery, hosted a talent show for Ottery youth to honour her cousin Stacey Lee Philander’s legacy on Saturday August 27, three days before the 21st anniversary of Stacey’s murder on Tuesday August 30.

Ms Philander said the talent show was hosted because Stacey was a talented youth.

“She was committed to Sunday school, played music instruments, and she was a dancer at school. I just thought it was right to do a talent show to honour Stacey's legacy and to showcase the talents of the kids of Ottery,” said Ms Philander.

Dancers Kirsten and Kirsty De Villiers and Keana Lee Williams.

Stacey Lee’s mother, Gail Knight, said although it had been so many years since her daughter was murdered she will never stop feeling emotional. “Stacey was a happy child who used to stay indoors where she lived with her granny Audrey Philander. She used to play the flute and she loved to sing hymns and to dance.”

Johannes Ludwig, who had been obsessed with Stacey-Lee and stalked her since the age of 9, had handed himself over to police and pleaded guilty. He was later sentenced to life imprisonment.

The 13-year-old Stacey Lee was hacked to death metres away from Stephen Road Primary, in Lotus River, the school she had attended.

Ms Philander said she invited motivational speakers to assist the initiative. “Artists who shared their testimonies and talent with the Ottery community, included Earl Hendricks, actor Neil Lakay, CEO Hustlers Van Kaapstad, KNine Cpt rapper and DJ Sofia and the MCs twins Stephen and Cathlin Williams.”

Kurt Adams, operational director of Ottery Welfare Network (OWN), a non-profit organisation, who also coordinated the youth talent show, said the participants were chosen via OWN’s after-care school programme on Tuesdays and golf training on Wednesdays.

There were several acts including dancing, singing, instrumentalists, hula hoopers, boys doing soccer tricks, cha cha sliders, the Ottery choir, and a popular dance group called Mood Fam.

Pictured at the event are Earl Hendricks (friend), Tameesha Jacobs (friend), Gail Knight (Stacey’s mother) and Joslyn Philander (Stacey’s second cousin).

Ms Adams said they targeted the age groups from 10 to 15 years. “These kids showed a lot of potential. And if you can get that kid at that age group and show him or her that there is something better than joining a gang or doing drugs, then that would be good because, it is surprising to see that a lot of younger kids are becoming gangsters in Ottery, and it’s quite sad.”

Earl Hendricks (actor), Russel Draai, Lindsay Philander and Neil Lakay from Hustlers Van Kaapstad.

Ms Philander said she would like to thank OWN, the City of Cape Town, Don’t be Suinag.org, Siyazana YDF, Reminisce featuring Sadia and friends, The Tekk Notes international media productions and Love Hope Faith Restoring Humanity and PALS - People aiding lives selflessly, for their contributions to the show. “I will continue to give back to the community and to network with other organisations to build unity,” said Ms Philander.