A TOP TV presenter and a fashion designer have raced to rescue Home Affairs actress Lerato Mvelase, who can't afford to attend the international Emmy Awards ceremony at which she is up for a gong.
Mvelase, nominated in the Best Actress category for her role as Katlego in the local drama series, told The Times this week that she was "not happy" and "in tears" about her nod because "no one wants help me hold the South African flag high".She claimed she needed R125000 to go, which would cover the travel and accommodation costs for herself and a partner, as well as one of the programme's producers and a partner.The ceremony, jammed with the who's who of international TV and film celebrity, is being held on November 22 at the Hilton Hotel in New York.
SABC2's Morning Live presenter Vuyo Mbuli has offered to help Mvelase to raise the cash.
He told The Times that the government should not be blamed for failing to help her attend the ceremony, but should instead be "urged to help"."I want to speak to Lerato first and find out how we can help her with funds and see her go to the awards," Mbuli said yesterday."It would be unfair to compare South African government support versus US government support for their performers because we are two different parallels that have different complexities."
The National Film and Video Foundation has told Mvelase she must formally apply for funding to attend the event, and her application will be considered.
Mvelase is pitted against British actress Helena Bonham Carter, German actress Iris Berben, and Brazilian actress Lilia Cabra in her category.Although Mvelase said several other people, who had asked not to be named, had offered help with getting her to New York, she said she was still upset that local fashion designers declined to help her with a dress - calling her "too fat" for their frocks.Award-winning designer Gert Johan Coetzee has now pitched in, saying size doesn't matter to him."To dress Lerato for such a huge event would be more than a pleasure for me."
The Times reported that Home Affairs actress Brenda Ngxoli did not attend the awards in 2007, but it turns out she did - after a battle to raise money.Ngxoli said she "was not surprised people thought she didn't go because she went through the same dilemma"."I know what it's like to be Lerato because I went through the same thing," she said."She must be strong and focus on trying to raise the funds. Who knows, she might end up going."
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