On 5 February 2003, Ellen Fouche answered a knock at her door. It was a woman begging for help. She had just given birth and was clutching a newborn baby. Ellen immediately helped the woman bathe, gave her pain medication and cleaned up the baby.
“My heart just opened for the infant.”
The woman asked Ellen to look after the child temporarily, promised to be back shortly and disappeared into the night. Hours turned into days and Ellen began looking for the mother. The search ended when she found the mother was serving a prison sentence. Ellen, although she could not afford to, decided to adopt the baby.
“My heart just opened for the infant,” Ellen recalls the moment she laid eyes on her adoptive daughter, Bianca Solomons, now aged 17. She herself had suffered parental rejection as her mother gave her to an elderly couple who hardly were able to care for themselves. “I cannot bear that vulnerable children are cast aside,’’ says courageous Ellen. She was a single mother with children of her own at the time.
It is years later, and now Ellen Fouche lives with motor neuron disease. The effects of the illness are visible as she slowly explains how tough it can be, but that her talented daughter motivates her to get through each day. Her dream is to see her daughter perform all over the world.
…out of the blue, Bianca spontaneously sang along
No-one realised Bianca could sing until one day in Grade 2 at Bellville North Primary School. Her teacher played some music, when, out of nowhere Bianca sang along spontaneously. The next step was joining the school choir. Bianca says that is when she realized her dream was to become a singer.
At the age of 12 she entered Making of the Stars and went through to the semi-final.
She also entered Talent Africa, went through all three rounds locally and at regional’s she won five gold medals, one in the Top 10. She qualified nationally but did not have funds to represent South Africa in New York.
Bianca had a few more challenges to overcome to get where she is today. The first being lack of vocal training, which she overcame by obtaining sponsorship to attend Maritza’s Vocal Training in 2016
Beautiful songbird
Her second challenge was a lack of management and resources. She met Samantha Oliphant from SJ Music, who introduced her to three wonderful people. Celeste from Estelle C Design who became her clothing sponsor, Ashley from Ashley’s Transport who makes sure she gets to shows on time and David Gummers from DGP Music who assists with public relations and marketing. Another challenge Bianca faced was to promote herself as an artist. With Samantha’s help, the V&A Waterfront recently sponsored a branding package and this helps with marketing campaigns.
Her career is gaining traction
With the help of outside organisations and sponsors enabling Bianca to achieve her goals and make her dreams a reality, she has to date performed at a variety of functions, entered competitions and even featured at the Media24 Kuier Magazine’s Mother’s Day Tea. #ImStaying members in the Welgemoed and Bellville areas can look out for her shows.
Her career is gaining traction and the media, radio, and television is taking notice. “Like Moses in his basket, a newborn arrived on the doorstep of Ellen Fouche, 17 years ago,” were the words of a journalist, Nadine Theron who brought the amazing story of Bianca Solomons to the attention of South Africans watching eNuus early last year. In a short video clip, an angelic, operatic voice flows through the air from a humble Wendy house.
Both a talented singer and songwriter, Bianca has already written 12 songs, nine of them on her own and three with her friend, Ruan Bekker. She wants to study music and do a show at Bellville North Primary since that is where in Grade 2 it all started for her.
Bianca, a bubbly, self-confident young woman from humble beginnings, does not believe singing is about being better than others, it is all about following your passion and dreams. Her talent is undeniable and reflected in the many competitions, medals and certificates she has already won. There is much more still to come. Bianca sings operatic, country and popular songs, singing being the main passion, not a specific genre. She loves Sam Smith.
In September 2020, Bianca will be one of 4 young South African artists who’ll be travelling to the UK to perform at the From South Africa with Love Concert in the Manchester Cathedral. Choirs in the UK are currently competing to share the stage with Bianca and friends.
Ellen Fouché’s agapé love for a helpless newborn has given a singing talent wings to spread joy to the world. Dreams do come true.
For more positive and uplifting stories visit us at #ImStaying
GOOD THOUGHTS • GOOD WORDS • GOOD DEEDS
Edited By: Erna Maré
