JP Robberts will be hosting a gala event on Heritage Day. Photo: Provided
The big days are coming. In November the new Mr South Africa will be crowned and the finalists are gearing up for it. For finalist JP Robberts there is a two-fold goal that justifies all of the public appearances and fund-raising that are part and parcel of the pageant. It is little Esri Botes, who has been paralysed on one side of her body as a result of hemiplegia and whom he has pledged to support throughout her life, and the Table View Community Medics who do “flipping fantastic work.”
It’s all about raising money at this point. Over a mid-morning coffee JP rubs a sculpted arm reflexively. It hurts from last night’s workout, which was also the second one of the day. He smiles ruefully. It’s for a good cause. As a Mr South Africa finalist JP has to raise R10 000 for the Mr South Africa pageant and whatever amount he manages to raise over and above that will go to his chosen two recipients: Esri and the Table View Community Medics.
Miss SA finalist Mishka Patel will be at the event. Photo: Facebook
Star-studded event
On Heritage Day JP hosts a star-studded gala event at Hirsch’s Home store in Milnerton. The winner of Western Cape has Talent, Jason Roodt and runner-up Sedricia will be appearing at the event, and so will Miss SA finalist and Miss Earth South Africa finalist Mishka Patel. The doe-eyed Pasella presenter has become a part of JP’s life. He says candidly, “Mishka is younger than me, but she has much more experience. She’s become a bit of a mentor for me.”
JP and Jason will perform together
But back to the night of 24 September: “You’ll come into the showroom and you’ll think you’re in an appliance store. And then you’ll look around and see black walls and a long red carpet leading to a stage.” JP looks smug at the picture he is seeing in his mind’s eye. He’ll be on stage performing Thomas Rhett’s hit country song Die a Happy Man along with Jason Roodt.
JP and little Esri Botes. Photo: Facebook
Also on the menu are: a fashion show with couturier Jacques Lagrange, Andrew’s Boutique and Gabriella Martinelli. Some lucky souls will win Hirschs vouchers and if the weather holds a film will be shown out of doors. “Something old,” JP says.
JP with cancer survivor Jacques. Photo: Facebook
He ought to be in bed in the farmhouse on the West Coast where he lives in the early morning hours. By mid-morning he’ll be up again, performing songs at the West Coast Craft Market in Melkbosstrand. “I would not have it any other way,” he says.
Get your tickets at: http://www.webtickets.co.za/event.aspx?itemid=1464721855
