Willem Botha
{{Short description|South African singer, actor and music producer}}
{{distinguish|text=Pieter Willem Botha. For other uses, see Willem Botha (disambiguation)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Willem Botha
| birth_date = 17 April 1987
| nationality = South African
| alma_mater = University of Stellenbosch
| occupation = singer, actor and music producer
}}
Willem Botha (born 17 April 1987){{cite web|url=https://www.tvsa.co.za/actors/viewactor.aspx?actorid=16020 |title=Willem Botha |publisher=TVSA |accessdate=2019-05-09}} is a South African singer, actor and music producer from Riversdale, Western Cape. He was the runner-up of Afrikaanse Idols reality music programme and predominantly performs Afrikaans language songs.
Early career
Botha studied drama at the University of Stellenbosch in 2006. However he delayed his studies to take part in Afrikaanse Idols. He finished as the runner up of the programme but received a recording contract from Sony and moved to Johannesburg. Later in 2006, he released his debut album "Kô Ma Hier".
=Eurovision=
Botha has had an association with the Eurovision Song Contest since Afrikaanse Idols. In 2009, he released "Hi Hi Ho", also promoted as "Hi Hi Ho (Bokke Weergawe)" (English: "Hi Hi Ho (Springbok version)"){{cite web|url=https://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/music101/20121229 |title=Music 101 for Saturday 29 December 2012 Music 101 |publisher=Radio New Zealand |date= |accessdate=2019-05-09}} as an Afrikaans adaptation of the Latvian 2008 Eurovision Song Contest entry "Wolves of the Sea" by Pirates of the Sea, with the lyrics being adapted to support the South Africa national rugby union team (colloquially known as the Springboks).{{cite web|url=https://eurovision.tv/story/big-in-south-africa |title=Big in South Africa! |publisher=Eurovision |date=2009-05-15 |accessdate=2019-05-09}}{{cite web |url=https://www.amazon.de/Hi-Ho-Bokke-weergawe/dp/B01EF8CPIC |title=Hi Hi Ho (Bokke weergawe) |language=German |publisher=Amazon |accessdate=2019-05-09}} Later that year he released his second album titled "Sê My Nou" which was nominated for the best Afrikaans Sokkie Dans album at the 16th South African Music Awards.{{cite web|url=https://www.bizcommunity.com/Article/196/480/45414.html |title=16th South African Music Awards nominees announced |publisher=Bizcommunity.com |date=2010-03-05 |accessdate=2019-05-09}} In 2013, he helped to produce the 2013 Belarusian Eurovision entry "Solayoh" and was part of the performance act as one of Alyona Lanskaya's backing singers. This made him the first South African to perform at Eurovision.{{#tag:ref|With sole South African nationality|group=a}}{{cite web|url=https://www.netwerk24.com/Sarie/Bekendes/Het-Jy-Gehoor/willem-botha-maak-geskiedenis-op-europese-verhoog-20170914 |title=Willem Botha maak geskiedenis op Europese verhoog |language=Afrikaans |publisher=Netwerk24.com |date=2013-04-19 |accessdate=2019-05-09}}
Acting
Botha made his acting debut in the Afrikaans language film Liefling, Die Movie in 2010.{{cite web|url=https://www.netwerk24.com/Sarie/Bekendes/Ons-Praat-Met/liefling-video-bobby-willem-botha-en-ander-sterre-gesels-20170914 |title=Liefling-video - Bobby, Willem Botha en ander sterre gesels |language=Afrikaans |publisher=Netwerk24.com |date= |accessdate=2019-05-09}} In 2013, he played his first television acting role in Donkerland.
Discography
- Kô Ma Hier (2007) {{Cite web|title=Kô Ma Hier by Willem Botha|url=https://music.apple.com/za/album/k%C3%B4-ma-hier/340408280|access-date=2020-08-07|website=Apple Music|language=en-gb}}
- Sê My Nou (2009) {{Cite web|title=Se My Nou by Willem Botha|url=https://music.apple.com/za/album/se-my-nou/1102921187|access-date=2020-08-07|website=Apple Music|language=en-gb}}
- My Stem is Joune (2012) {{Cite web|title=My Stem is Joune by Willem Botha|url=https://music.apple.com/za/album/my-stem-is-joune/543205994|access-date=2020-08-07|website=Apple Music|language=en-gb}}
- Soen & Vergeet (2017) {{Cite web|title=Soen & Vergeet by Willem Botha|url=https://music.apple.com/za/album/soen-vergeet/1442884026|access-date=2020-08-07|website=Apple Music|language=en-gb}}
Notes
{{reflist|group=a}}
References
{{Reflist|30em}}
External links
- [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nmf5Xe9mn8M Botha performing "Hi Hi Ho (Bokke Weergawe)"]
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Botha, Willem}}
Category:South African musicians
Category:People from the Western Cape