It’s always easier to cheer for a celeb who gives back to the community. We’re giving a massive hand to Leon Gropp, who’s taking the Jakaranda & Louis Botha Kinderhuis under his influential wings.
Leon Gropp, our fave Ontbytsake co-host, and award-winning muso, isn’t just shining on screen but has also been lighting up lives off-camera too, for a while now. So when he was asked to be an official guardian for two of Pretoria’s biggest children’s homes, he agreed to it without a second thought. Which, Leon admits, is quite the rare response for an overthinker like himself.
“As a father, it was a decision I didn’t need to overthink … or, think about at all, really. I get to be an ambassador for an amazing organisation that I’ve been supporting for years. I get to create awareness, attract donors and become a part of various projects. And I get to spend time with some amazing children.
“Parents have such an immense responsibility to not only take care of their kids’ basic needs, but to be there for them on an emotional level. It breaks my heart to think there are kids who don’t have this support. We, as a society, owe it to them to create places of safety … for they are the most fragile and vulnerable among us. Plus, they didn’t ask to be here.”
When it comes down to it, Leon is all about family … whether it’s his immediate fam (wife Martelize and their trio of kids – eight-year-old Kara-May, five-year-old Alaya and Loah, who’s three), the children’s homes, or his tight-knit crew in the entertainment biz. Although balancing the lot isn’t a walk in the park, Leon wouldn’t have it any other way, because following his heart is key.
In fact, he’s always been fuelled by the desire to live authentically, even if it means dipping his toes into the world of children’s music and releasing a fun album for the kiddos with Christiaan Baartman. While he loved working on the project, he admits it wasn’t necessarily his thing. But, always up for something new, he’s happy to have gotten the t-shirt.
“We’ve only got one life, right? Maggie Smith said in one of her poems “ The world is at least fifty percent terrible, and life is short. But there is always beauty, no matter how hopeless it may seem some days.” And that’s something I wish every child would know.
“I truly believe that simply showing up for a child already is half the battle won. One of my mentors is an old ballie called Jaco Boëttger. When we had our first-born, he told me that kids only need two things … love, and to feel safe and protected. It almost feels like such a small price to pay for everything we can learn from our little ones. The biggest lesson being curiosity. The world is a wonderful place, and they always remind me of it.”
The recipe for making a difference in a kid’s life is quite simple. All it takes is a dash of creativity, a heap of kindness, and zero tolerance for injustice. And so Leon encourages anyone with a passion for children to get involved at the Jakaranda & Louis Botha Kinderhuis, because “they do such incredible work in that they really try to focus on the positive and beautiful and fun things as well.”
When he’s not spending time with family, involved with the children’s homes, making music, or shooting on set, Leon is a pretty decent (but, very average, he admits) trail runner, who also loves to read!
“My biggest life goal is to always be real and true to myself, especially in my music. I will always do what feels right, and so, cultivating happiness from within. Oh, and then world peace and all that…”
So, if you’re a fan… you should look out for his new single and merch range called Moot tot die Dood, which he released recently.
For Leon, life is about finding beauty in the chaos, showing up for others, and staying curious like a child. And if you ever need a motto to live by, just remember his words: “Dis lekker om lekker te wees as jy lekker is … so wees net lekker.”
If you ever need a reminder to stay true to your roots, and never stop dreaming, just look to Leon. After all, in a world that’s at least half terrible, we could all use a little more beauty and a lot more kindness.
Details: Follow @leongropp on Insta, Facebook and Tiktok
Get involved…
Looking for connection? Wanting to give something back? Getting involved in your community is a great way to do some good and get to know the people around you. Here are a few suggestions…
• If your heart lies with the youngsters too, check out the Jakaranda & Louis Botha Kinderhuis. They look after children placed in their care by the Children’s Court and manage two premises in Pretoria, Jakaranda Kinderhuis in East Lynne and Louis Botha Kinderhuis in Queenswood. Their children are aged between three and 18 years and are provided with therapy, medical care and a home where they can feel safe and loved. Details: 012-800-4700 or 012-333-6184.
• If you’re a dog person, why not consider supporting Dogtown SA? It’s remarkable sanctuary for dogs who have lost their families or have been rescued from dire situations. Every day the dedicated team provide individual care to each of these dogs in a peaceful, tranquil setting while they wait for their forever homes. Call 076-044-1979 to find out how you can get involved.
• If sports is more your thing, you might want to look into the Differently Abled Cricket Club. What started off as a program a few years back has evolved to a fully structured club. The need for the disabled to be accommodated in society is the organisation’s main priority and they do this by means of participation in sport; cricket specifically. Details: 082-998-4568.
• Passionate about education? Get involved with Project Literacy. Their mission is to deliver a wide range of adult education and training programmes to educationally disadvantaged adults by way of adult education centres, teacher training, curriculum development and community outreach. Never too old, right? Call 012-323-3447 for more info.
• Get involved at the SPCA in one of many ways. Their services include investigating animal cruelty cases, providing affordable veterinary medical care, maintaining a lost-and-found programme and looking after animals until they are adopted into loving homes. Details: 012-803-5219.
