Animator and friends transform digital realm

BOPHELONG – A creative collective of young individuals, led by a self-taught animator, has transformed the digital realm into a haven of amusement and light-heartedness, offering a respite from the rigors of daily life. Operating under the moniker ‘Welcome to Bophelong’, this team, comprised of friends, relatives, and the talented animator Gift Sigamu, has endeared themselves to audiences across various social media platforms, notably TikTok.

Through their imaginative social media sketches, they encapsulate the essence of local trends, language, and the vibrant lifestyle of the Vaal community, consistently delivering a stream of comedic content to their eager followers.
With a substantial following exceeding 130K and an impressive tally of 953K likes, their platforms have become synonymous with
uproarious videos such as ‘Dating a Rapper’ and ‘black families’, eliciting laughter and amusement from viewers far and wide.
In an interview with Ster North at their modest makeshift studio, Sigamu, the visionary behind the animation, recounted their journey’s beginnings.
“We initially focused on music production until electricity issues plagued our studio, rendering it inoperative for an extended period. Subsequently, I delved into learning animation under the guidance of a mentor. From late 2019 to 2020, we began uploading videos after extensive learning and implementation. YouTube also played a significant role in shaping our current content,” he explained.
Reflecting on their progress, Sigamu emphasised the team’s dedication to enhancing creativity and professionalism in their sketches.
“Initially, our numbers were modest as we were just starting out. Some of our early cartoons lacked polish. However, we’ve witnessed considerable growth since then, refining our skits across all technical aspects. We are now receiving more love and feedback from our community and beyond.
The support continues to grow,” he remarked.
Sigamu acknowledged the contributions of their 12-member team, each bringing unique talents to the production.
“We have an incredible team that is always eager to collaborate. I enlisted individuals close to me for various roles.
Over time, we’ve honed our ability to craft scripts and produce content that resonates with our followers. Expect further evolution in all aspects of our production,” he added.
Lotto Ramagaga, who portrays the character Malome Slotha, shared his journey into the world of animation.
“As a shareholder in the music production team, I initially struggled to grasp the concept of animation when Gift introduced it to me.
However, upon witnessing the first skit, I was captivated, and that’s how I became involved in the sketches. This experience has blurred the lines between my real life and the character, making it an exhilarating adventure,” he expressed.
The skits also feature a cast of characters including Sibongile Sigamu as Mme wa Gee, Tshepo Nyama as Samuel, Lebohang Kutoane as George, Simon Nkosi as Thabo Thupa, Sipho Monenensi as Tafiya, Pule Mofokeng, Lebohang Mokoena as Jane Maboko, Tjama Paedo as Tjama Lebitso, Thabo Mora as Taxi Driver, and Bonginkosi as Retshidiswe Martin.