STARS ARE BORN

Aron Gcotyelwa, the Stanford Housing Officer for the Overstrand Municipality whom I’d befriended when building my house “Waterford” is on the dance floor next to my five-year-old great nephew Adam Crowther, showing him the actions of the latest dance moves. Adam is good, really good, and so of course is Aron. Watching the two of them is mesmerising. Totally in sync together, rhythm and style. Everyone stops to watch open-mouthed. Proud Grandma Brenda Crowther tells everyone in earshot that she taught Adam to dance when he was three, now Aron Gcotyelwa is taking him a step further.

A few years later, Adam joined a dance group in Fish Hoek that eventually culminated in him dancing in performances at CAPAB (Cape Performing Arts Board). His voice, too, led him to join the singing group “The Crooners” and later to the Cape Town Male Voice Choir where he sang in St Georges Cathedral. His family were convinced that he would become an entertainer. Adam had other ideas as university beckoned. He wanted to study Electrochemistry, Physical Chemistry and Computer Programming - a far cry from the stage. The first month into his first university term saw him join the choir and he was immediately snapped up to perform and sing as the lead role of Joseph in the university’s production of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat.”

By: Christine Farrington

At a 40th Birthday Party held in Stanford on 6 February 2009, some 80 odd people gathered inside and out enjoying the occasion. My great niece, Olivia, sang a beautiful piece accompanied by Judy Gardiner on the piano and speeches followed. Then, as food and drinks were being served, the mother of all thunderstorms descended upon us – rain, thunder and one of the best displays of lightning I have ever seen, lit up the entire garden and the mountains around us. It was spectacular! But the rain eventually drove the guests inside the house where the men decided to lift or push all the furniture aside to make room for a dance floor. And there the story began.

Aron Gcotyelwa was becoming another rising star. He was promoted from Stanford to Gansbaai in April 2020. He took it upon himself to study at Stellenbosch University where he gained an Honours Degree in Public Administration and Management. Aron was then encouraged to apply for a much higher position in Hermanus, which was successful. He is now the Senior Manager of Corporate Projects for all of the Overstrand Municipality from Rooi-Els to Pearly Beach and beyond. This is a remarkable achievement from a good Stanford lad who, from 15 September 2003 to 28th February 2010, was an income clerk at Stanford Municipality. Today, Aron is happily married with two children and still lives in Stanford.

Two remarkable young men at a party, one five years old, one twenty-eight years old, on the floor in 2009 giving an entertaining show of fabulous dancing, fun, laughter, and camaraderie. Both Adam and Aron are stars in their own right. In August this year, they will be re-united for the first time since that night back in 2009, when there will be lots to talk about and, who knows, maybe even another dance performance.