Michael-Heath

22 years old, Cape Town, South Africa

Grew up very shy and not eager to draw attention to myself but after 17 years of life, a discovery of love for acting, comedy, hip hop and physical training turned me into someone hungry for the spotlight. While many people feel more anxious onstage than offstage, I find that it's been quite the reverse in my life and no matter what stage I'm on whether it be my school's hall or a living room inhabited by loved ones, I want to put on a damn good performance. It's amazing how half a year of exercise can alter not just your appearance but your confidence as well and while I'm no Tony Stark mixed with Arnold Schwarzenegger, I'm lean enough and confident enough to say it out loud and mean it. I enjoy writing music and even though I'm not the best at singing, my skill at rap and poetry is exceptional enough to receive many rounds of applause. Four years of debating and two of those years being the captain has taught me that civility and understanding in an argument is a necessity and although internally I may want to hit people over their head in an argument, retaining a calm,articulate and respectful demeanor is my specialty.

This year on women's day, I met a woman while I was in Spar Mart with my friends. She came up to talk to us, didn't have a clue who we were, but nevertheless just started talking to us about how wonderful women's day was and the history behind it. I didn't know this woman but I wanted to. Her presence took up the whole room and it was beyond extraordinary to see this elderly, white woman shouting and hurling profanities with such passion that it was infectious. when I reached out to shake her hand, respectfully she pulled me into one of the warmest hugs I've had and then shook my hand with a chest bump like we had finished a round of rugby. When I came out of the store she was sitting with a man who regularly played guitar outside the mart. I assumed they had just met but from the way they were singing songs in fluent Xhosa like they had been friends from university. That day I decided that I want to have that effect on people and to spread that much positivity, vigor and passion into everywhere that I tread.

I want to stand out and I'm going to