#OpenUpTheIndustry is a Twitter debate that has been trending for the last two days and heated up on Freedom Day.
The hashtag was originally started to create awareness around the fact that South Africa is rich in talent and that we need to be giving more people the opportunity to showcase their abilities.
But turned into a hit list taking aim at some of South Africa’s most well-known stars.
Adding fuel to the fire was the news that local TV personality Boity Thulo had landed a new job as co-host of Ridiculousness Africa.
Some were saying that the same faces land the top jobs every time and that they’re tired of seeing the same people being used over and over again.
Others cautioned not to discredit people who worked hard to get where they were and that saying people “didn’t deserve” the opportunities they had received was “insulting”.
For the most part celebrities were steering clear of the debate until Wednesday when they spoke openly about the issue.
Bonang joined Gugulethu Mhlungu and Sizwe Dhlomo on Wednesday night on 702’s Night Talk to speak about her experiences in the industry.
According to Bonang not a lot of people are aware of the fact that she’s been turned down for roles and definitely hasn’t landed every job she auditioned for.
“I didn’t let it get me down. I tried something else,” Bonang said.
“The most important rule for any person that’s passionate enough to see their dreams come to fruition is to be focusd. I’ve taught myself to never focus on negativity on social media, in life, during conflicts, at work or even demeaning tabloid headlines,” she stated.
She said she works so hard that she can’t afford to be distracted by negativity. “I’ve realised that the more you ignore, the happier you are at doing the things that matter the most. I simply block negativity and move on.”
Having a good team around you is also important, according to the Top Billing presenter: “I knew earlier on that I needed to have a good team behind me in order to accomplish all my goals. Always have a clear plan and put strategies in place with timelines.
“The company you keep plays an important role in shaping the person you become, and this applies to the entertainment industry or corporate SA.”
She also spoke about how she has been rejected a number of times. However, she never let those failures get her down.
“From countless auditions, job interviews and opportunities that I’ve lost or being rejected. And every time that happened, I never wallowed in self-pity or got discouraged. I simply went back to the drawing board, came up with a new plan / strategy and tried again.
“If your goal is clear, always keep it moving till you get it. Grind till you own it. Because a dream delayed, is not a dream denied. A little bit of patience and faith goes a long way. Remember that life happens on God’s time and not yours.”
Lastly, she believes in saying “no”. “It is so easy to say yes to your boss, partner, friends or even an endorsement deal. Ask yourself these questions before you commit first: Is this in line with my goals? Do I genuinely love this? Will this take me to the next level? Am I willing to sacrifice? Am I looking at the bigger picture or will this be an instant gratification?”
-thejuice