SHE fell in love with a murderous, abusive man who nearly robbed her of her dream to become a successful performer.
But former apple picker and Idols winner Karin Kortje is clawing back to reclaim her position as South Africa’s darling through live performances and paying it forward to her poverty-stricken community of Grabouw in the Western Cape.
Six months after winning Idols, Kortje’s world came crushing down when her then boyfriend Cheslyn Williams, stabbed the owner of a Durbanville,Cape Town B&B.
He was sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of Renata Kellerman. She later met and married her husband of seven years. But abuse reared it’s ugly head again.
The 2005 Idols winner has said that she’s done with abusive men but she still believes in fairy-tales, love and happy-endings.
For now Kortje “is focusing on rebuilding her once shattered career, raising her four sons single-handedly and giving untapped talent in her community a chance to showcase their musical prowess.
The Overberg’s Got Talent competition, which ran in schools from Grabouw, Villiersdorp, Caledon and Hawston, was conceptualized by Kortje in order to discover musical talent within the region, and to help them achieve their dreams of working in the entertainment industry.
Matric pupil Marcellino Swartz, won the competition last week – now in its third year – and will feature in Kortje’s Night with The Stars at Cape Town’s Grand Arena on September 15.
“I am fully aware of talent that exists in my hometown and because they do not have many singing opportunities, like the way I did when I won Idols, I feel it’s my responsibility to give back and nurture the future talent of the region, so that they too can realize their dreams,” said Kortje.
Kortje, who won Idols in 2005, says the idea of this competition started as a way to celebrate the 10th anniversary of her win on the reality TV show.
“There was just this desire to give back to my community. I know how hard it is to live out your dreams.”
[pullquote]It took me a few years where I could actually get to the point where I could turn my situation into inspiration and motivation so that I could speak about it and change people’s life[/pullquote]
But Kortje, 37, had to first find herself after her personal calamities.
“It took me a few years where I could actually get to the point where I could turn my situation into inspiration and motivation so that I could speak about it and change people’s life.
It was a struggle for me, I was going into depression, but I had to get myself out of that mind-set. I just pulled through.
“After what happened I remember corporates cancelled, my contract with my record company was cancelled.”
Kortje said despite her passion for music her judgment was clouded by her love for Williams.
“This person came into my life and totally clouded my vision.I made the wrong decision and I had to pay for it through my career.
“I remember one article I read on-line which said that I would forever be remembered as the person who got the opportunity of a lifetime but I didn’t make use of it.
“I will forever remember that comment and I think that is why I work so hard everytime. It might be only in Cape Town but I’m working hard on my craft.
There was a time when I just wanted to be Cheslyn.. I was so blinded by this abusive person. It took a person to die for me to realise this,” she said.
Kortje said she still did know the actual reason for the murder.
“It was between him and God.
“But I believe there was stolen stuff found on him. He was struggling because of his drug problem.
He was using me and whatever I had for his advantage. There are so many women out there like me. That’s why I wanted to use my situation as a motivation for other women.
Now I’m a single mother raising four beautiful boys. I love my children and career.
I got married after Cheslyn. I was married for seven years. I’m separated now for over a year. The divorce is pending. I wish him well in his endeavours but for me I couldn’t anymore. The relationship was toxic and abusive at times. That’s in the past now.”
She is working on her next album, which she hopes will be ready early next year.
SUTHENTIRA GOVENDER
Tiso Blackstar Group
