Before she blew out her first birthday candle Faith Nogemane’s life story looked as if it came straight from a Hollywood script.
Born 25 years ago as the last of her mother Ellie’s six children, t that time had three sons and two daughters.
“My mother had had a procedure to prevent her from falling pregnant again,” Nogemane relates, “but low and behold, there I was, and my mother saw it as a sign that this baby had to be born.”
Two days after her birth the family home was consumed in a township fire.
In the chaos that ensued, with everyone scrambling to get out the baby was left behind, as family members all thought someone else had the baby.
On realising their mistake their father, Raymond, ran back into the shack that was already on fire to save the baby girl.
A couple of months after that, while her mother was at work, the baby, by then aptly named Faith, was abducted. With the help of family and the police she was found again and put safely back in her mother’s arms.
Today, Faith can’t remember any of the dramas that engulfed her early days, but she believes in her name.
“There is something in me that is strong, even when I feel vulnerable,” she says.
“People always think I have a lot of confidence, but I am just like everyone else, questioning and insecure. When I feel down, I remind myself of my name, and say to myself… you are here for a reason. You must have faith, Faith!”
Nogemane was Agri’s Got Talent’s 2021 winner, and she recalls family life fondly as a space where everyone sang and loved music, particularly in Molteno in the Eastern Cape.
It was also there that she went to school, and she fondly remembers the farm life.
“At any time there was always singing and music at home. We would sing together. Mostly gospel. We could all sing.”
Nogemane’s voice falters slightly when she tells how she has lost so many family members over the years – her mother, father and recently a sister.
Nevertheless, her roots are strong like her name. It was her former employer at the Wildekrans Estate in Bot River that encouraged her to enter Agri’s Got Talent.
“You know how people can talk,” Nogemane related. “Everyone knew I could sing. When I heard of the opportunity I grabbed it and entered. It was the best thing I ever did.”
She subsequently left Wildekrans to focus on her singing career, and has had a couple of great opportunities to sing, particularly at events. She also likes a challenge and the growth potential as a person it gives her.
According to Nogemane, competitions such as Agri’s Got Talent is not just a “nice to have”, but a necessity for the agricultural sector.
“There aren’t that many opportunities when you are a general worker, doing hard labour away from the hustle and bustle of a town. And a lot of folks are very talented, but don’t have many opportunities. AGT is a door opener.
“After I won the competition, my co-workers were so excited and proud. Agriculture would be poorer without events such as Agri’s Got Talent.”
And what now for her?
“The success I had with AGT has built my confidence. Before AGT I was shy and kept to myself. But now I can get up onto a stage and sing in front of the whole world.”
Nogemane is looking forward to AGT 2022 and recently recorded her demo album with the AGT team, which will be shared on YouTube and AGT’s social platforms.
Contestants enter the competition by sending voice recordings or videos via WhatsApp to 082 372 1577 or email to info@agrisgottalent.com. Entries close 30 June.
Songs can be performed in any genre or language, so whether one is into pop, RnB, acoustic, rap, or classical, Agri’s Got Talent wants to hear it all!
TO ENTER: WhatsApp a sound clip of no longer than three minutes to 082 372 1557 or e-mail info@agrisgottalent.com
INCLUDE: Name and surname. Date of birth. Your own cellphone number. Name of farm/cellar/pack house. Job description. How long you have been working on the farm, in the pack house or cellar. Nearest town. Supervisor name and cellphone number
