Kamogelo Mokoena well known as ‘Kamo wamabbw’ is a 19 year old first year student, enrolled in a Bachelor of special work course, who also wants to make her mark in the entertainment industry.
Mokoena was a sportsperson during her high school years and she was also one of the top achievers in Ekurhuleni for the class of 2020. Mokoena did exceptionally well in her academics, from grade 9 up until grade 12 in high school.
She shares with Ekurhuleni News that “I worked with my teachers as I had a very close relationship with them, especially throughout the matric year which was overshadowed by COVID-19. I also had support from my grandmother, mother and family at large. I had no worries about my finances and so forth. My grandmother would normally sit with me while I study throughout the night until 3 am, so the support was immensely. I managed to get good marks also considering that I had gigs to attend to as an upcoming artist. My family was more than supportive, for example when I had a gig today and had to attend school tomorrow they would make sure that both my outfits are ready for the gig and school, my books for school would be ready. I would return home at 4 am, bath then go to school because at 6am we had classes. Extra classes for both in the morning and afternoon also helped.”
Mokoena is part of the entertainment industry as there was a video that escalated through social media platforms which opened doors for her which is how she became famous. The video started as body shaming; however the likes of DJ Maphorisa got hold of Mokoena, later she was called to the studio to record a song which was released.
She also outlined her plans to Ekurhuleni News “My plans for the next five years is to attain a degree. At this very moment I am still trying to balance my way around varsity and the industry. In high school I knew that I’d be able to balance as I was a top performer but it was not only that, I was also a hard worker. For now I am still trying to figure out if it will be possible to incorporate both varsity and the industry, but I have a lot planned for myself in the next five years. As a performer it cannot only be music it will also include being on TV and other things.”
She also revealed to Ekurhuleni News the challenges she came across concerning her body weight, “I would see something at the store that I liked, but couldn’t get it due to my size, having to explain to people why I’m like this and people would ask questions such as “kanti udlani” which I could not answer as I hated it a lot. I faced this challenges more after the video that trended on social media. While growing I never had to explain myself even when we went out and so forth, because people were normal around me. Then when we go out people would stare. With the industry, I love taking pictures with people, I love the reaction I get from people. In all honesty there is so much love in the groove, even when people take videos of me, I love that. There was a particular medical doctor who told me that I boosted her confidence and she’s way older than me, and that for me was just priceless.”
Mokoena advices people who lack confidence that they will get there eventually but they should never change themselves and who they are. “My biggest achievement thus far is the space that I’m in as well as my mental state. I know that I’ve made a song with one of the biggest DJ’s, and that thus far, has to be my biggest accomplishment. But most in importantly my biggest triumph has to be me being in love with myself. It took a lot to get here, being at peace with what I am. I’m grateful for my family. I love my grandmother, I love my Mother I love my father. I’m grateful for their financial support; their moral support is actually everything. People who normalize having a big body are also what I’m grateful for. Advice to my peers is to focus and save money. Especially this time we are living in, now. I’m still growing and finding myself, but please believe me when I say I am indeed taking over.”
By Vuyokazi Bam
