After nearly being left homeless shortly after her mother’s passing, Rhema Socika moved in with Bathabile Modiba and her single, mentally ill & then unemployed mother in a township called Naledi. This sparked the brilliant idea of REAL ONES SA. REAL ONES SA is a movement consisting of two young black women who seek to reach people through YouTube, music and other forms of art. “It is more than art, it is about getting ourselves into a position where we can help ourselves so we can help others.”
REAL ONES SA – The Vision.
REAL ONES SA is an establishment founded by two young, black and vibrant South African women who seek to make a difference in their community and in society at large through creativity, entertainment and entrepreneurship. These three elements of the REAL ONES are at the core of the vision and mission of the establishment. Their enthusiasm for the progression of pop culture in South Africa and Africa at large has allowed for the team to bring to light a new perspective on content creation as well as a means to stimulate the growth of the creative industry in South Africa. This is mainly on an independent level where young artists or business owners can have a platform to promote their work — a goal that the REAL ONES SA YouTube channel aims to fulfill through featuring young up an coming creatives and entrepreneurs.
The importance of such an independent space is illustrated through the need of people being supported according to the quality of work that they produce and not according to financial capabilities or privileges. This is a space where marginalised identities can exercise free expression in a world that discourages them to do so. Our need to get deeply involved in different communities has allowed for REAL ONES as an establishment to realise the importance of giving back in order to encourage positivity and growth in the spaces where people are in a disadvantaged position.
REAL ONES SA: A Background of the Genesis of the YouTube Channel and how it Spiraled into a Desire for Arts & Culture Development & Community Outreach.
REAL ONES SA is a multifaceted and diverse brand which initially began as just YouTube Channel in September 2016. It started off with three members, namely: Rhema Socika, Bathabile Modiba and Mbali Monareng, where the three would document their lives as young black university students whilst discussing social issues that affected them as young women.
Subsequently after the departure of the third member, a need for African youth to have alternative platforms of entertainment and representation was realised. This would allow for the progression of an African youth identity in a cosmopolitan context, an initiative that can allow for young creatives and entrepreneurs to unite and progress the culture.
The YouTube channel features a weekly vlog which captures the lives of the two pop culture enthusiasts.
The segment encourages young independent artists to submit their music and feature on the channel thus allowing for artists to reach new audiences. The participation and documentation of local events allows for the two individuals to create important local content, promote local entrepreneurs and creatives.
The REAL ONES team is multifaceted, motivated and resilient despite all the odds they have faced which include both circumstantial and financial constraints. The team is determined to keep going in order to fulfill their aspirations and goals. They are determined to see their business take strides that will take our continent by storm, which not only includes the content on the YouTube channel but is also inclusive of the music they create (Alpha Royce music, iindirhe music), the apparel which is underway and community outreach, which will be further expanded upon.
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Our Individual Backgrounds and How They Intertwine with the Desire for Arts & Culture Development & Community Outreach.
Rhema Socika is a young and vibrant 21 year old creative and lover of pop art and culture. After her mom passing due to her 3 year, long battle with cancer. The financial backlash affected her life instantly seeing as her mother was the breadwinner of the family. This resulted in her having to leave university to contribute in the financial support of her family where she left her home in Pretoria to live in Soweto with her business partner, Bathabile Modiba.
Bathabile Modiba is a 21 year old who shares a lot in common with her friend and business partner, Rhema Socika. Much like her, she is a creative who has also had her own struggles. She was raised by a single parent who now suffers from mental health issues, which has created a lot of financial strain and emotional trauma in her life as her mother is her only provider. Subsequently after being abused by her uncle and taking him to court, Bathabile decided to move in with Rhema in a humble backroom in Emndeni township.
This is not meant to be a sob story, but it is rather a testament of the hardships and strength that the REAL ONES have been through and garner. Personal hardships have ignited the desire and passion to help others in similar situations and even those who are worse off. The community outreach aspect of REAL ONES SA will be carried out through events, raising fund via the apparel and even initiatives such as book drives. There is always a silver lining behind the darkest of clouds, and the silver lining here is that we as REAL ONES can help ourselves so we can help others.
LONG OF IT – WHERE IS THE MONEY GOING?
OUR MILESTONES
Tipping Point (R7000)
Living expenses: We need money for rent, utilities, water and transport to get to the events and interviews REAL ONES SA attends and has with other artists. These are the most important costs as these are what we need to survive as a team.
Tickets: As specified above, we attend events as a part of the vlogging segment of the channel. In order for us to bring you more jam packed vlogs with your favourite artists and celebrities, we have to have enough money to not only get too the events via transport, but we also need money to access these events as well.
Vlogging equipment: We really need money for some essential equipment like a tripod stand, a backdrop and decent lighting. We would love to increase the quality of our videos and in order to do so, we need your funding!
Doing all the above with R7000 will be difficult but we could make it work!
Dream Goal (R35000)
Locations: Not only events, but places filled with unimaginable natural scenery. We would love to explore South Africa in a way that has never been done before on YouTube. Help us do this by funding our project.
Clothes and jewellery for upcoming apparel line: We are not just YouTubers or artists, we are a brand and would love to branch out into different facets of the entertainment industry – fashion being one of them. Are you excited to see the designs and thrift clothing we have planned for our store? We are too! Back us financially so we can bring you the most amazing, affordable clothing and jewellery straight to your doorstep.
Website: We would love to launch our official website as the REAL ONES ream and this in itself requires funding. Please help us make this a reality!
REAL ONES event: Last but not least, a lot of this money is going towards hosting an event which will not only be art centered, but will be charity driven as well. It will not just be about expanding our reach as YouTubers and artists, but it will also be about giving back to the community. As individuals, we are dropping our two various music projects this year and have planned to host a joint launch party which will require a book as an entrance fee. Other items like non perishables and clothing will be accepted as donations for charity organisations like TLC in Eikenhof, Ikageng Iriteleng Aids Ministry and others should there be a surplus of donations.
Help us make all of this a reality!
We are our own team. We create content, film and edit everything ourselves. In addition to making cool YouTube videos, we also make music as well. However, most of the music on our YouTube channel is by South African indie artists who submit their music to us. (P.S — submit music if you’d like to be featured on the show).
Pretty much, this is how our closing credits always look:
Content creator: Bathabile Modiba (Alpha Royce) and Rhema Socika (iindirhe)
Videographer: Bathabile Modiba (Alpha Royce) and Rhema Socika (iindirhe)
Editor: Bathabile Modiba (Alpha Royce) and Rhema Socika (iindirhe)