Activist, 14, stars in Kwesta video

YOUNG anti-bullying activist Njabulo Zulu speaks modestly about how she was featured in hip hop superstar Kwesta’s music video for his latest song, Fire in the Ghetto.

The 14-year-old from Soshanguve plays the role of a gender-based violence activist who rescues her friend from an abusive relationship.

The video was shot in March in the township and released towards the end of last month, and Njabulo exudes excitement as she talks about making a music video with one of the country’s most celebrated artists.

She says many people are now calling her a “celebrity”. and they want to know how she was able to appear in the music video.

“People are very happy for me. But most importantly, people are excited because they know how much I struggled to be where I am.

“I tell them not to call me a celebrity because I believe that anyone can be featured in any music video – if they can put their mind to it and believe that anything is possible. I love it when people are happy for me. It pushes me to want to do more,” says

Njabulo.

She tells of her casting agency contacting her “because they saw that I would be fit for the character”.

“And being part of the music video was so amazing,” she says. “I enjoyed the experience very much. Everybody was treated equally and treated with respect. I would really love to do it again.”

In the video, she portrays a 16-yearold girl whose father is abusive.

“I played the role where I helped my friend who is also a victim of abuse. In the music video, my friend likes that fancy life. Basically, she is a slay queen and loves men who are classified as blessers.”

Njabulo says the video encourages people to do their bit to end genderbased violence (GBV).

“If you see it happening, you must report it immediately, any kind of violence must be reported,” she adds.

As an activist in real life, she was able to relate to the storyline because she always “stands up against the wrong things that are done, and also, I am always there to help my friends”.

“I would really like to be featured in more music videos because I really loved expressing positive messages to people,” she says.