‘Don’t you dare stop until you reach your dreams’
From featuring in Elle magazine as a promising young photographer to spreading messages of hope through art, Thato wants to inspire other youth.
Meet another one of the town’s multi-talented artist from Mohlakeng, Thato Montsitsi aka Thato Ya Modimo, a man with different artistic talents ranging from writing, photography, directing to even dropping bars as a rapper.
In an exclusive interview with the Herald, the 34-year-old said it was important to understand how art could fill society with goodness and be used as a universal tool to express ideas and bring everyone together.
“People can use art to spread messages of hope across the globe,” Thato said, adding that art could also be used to fight social ills, especially issues that are prevalent in SA, including gender-based violence, crime and unemployment. Thato said growing up, art spoke to his soul and it helped him escape the life of gangsterism which would’ve led him astray.
He added it would be good if artists were appreciated more so that they could grow in the mainstream.
“We just lack support from our leaders and powers to be in our area for that growth shift to happen,” Thato added.
Appreciating art depends on people’s individual taste and their sole outlook on life – what they seek and what’s relevant to them, he believes.
In 2010, Thato featured in ELLE magazine as a promising young photographer.
“As far as my singing is concerned I’m currently working with other international artists from New York, one of them called Anyway,” Thato said.
Ultimately, Thato would like to be a household name and be recognised internationally. This he said, would uplift other youngsters with the same passion.
“Persevere, endure and don’t you dare stop until you reach your dreams,” was his message to other aspiring young artists.
