Bouwer Bosch is one of the biggest names in the local entertainment space today. Not only is he an exceptional singer and actor, but he’s a philanthropist as well. Besides being a part of the popular group Straatligkinders, Bouwer has just released a beautiful new EP with his other musical project Dans Dans Lisa titled ‘’Skrikkeljaar’. Bouwer is taking part in the ninth season of Tropika Island of Treasure and the star opens up about the importance of reinvention, connecting to his audience and appearing on the new season of Tropika Island of Treasure.
What attracted you to sign onto a show like Tropika Island of Treasure?
I am 35 now and when you get an opportunity in life to put yourself somewhere outside of your comfort zone and put yourself in situations you’ve never been in before, you should grab them with open arms and this was one of those things. I have never been on a show like this before, I have never been on a tropical island like Curacao before and the show is on a platform which isn’t Afrikaans which ultimately opens who I am up to a range of new audiences – which is awesome!
How do you plan on out smooothing your competitor throughout the season and get your hands on the shared R1 million grand prize?
I am banking a lot on putting my fears aside and just bringing everything I have to these challenges. I usually talk a lot of smack but I know it’s going to get me nowhere in this competition so I guess it’s all about me putting my head down and tackling the challenges head on. Remember, I am ten years older than most of these guys!
What do you think makes a great team mate?
A great team mate is filled with fun. It’s important to do your best, be serious about it and go for gold but remember to have fun. I can’t deal with people who lose a challenge and it’s the end of the world for them.
What do you plan on doing with the shared R1 million should you win this season of Tropika Island of Treasure?
I haven’t thought about it too much to be honest, but I know that I would want to share some of those winnings with my family. They supported me so much when I started my career where I had no money. Each person in my family helped me out with something different. One person paid my rent, the other my cellphone contract so this would be a good opportunity to give back.
What has been the biggest challenge throughout your career and how have you overcome it?
The biggest challenge in every musician’s career is the pressure to keep reinventing yourself because you have to stay relevant and change with the times but still remain true to who you are. If you look at someone like Linkin Park or Coldplay, they’ve done it so beautifully. But, many artists can’t stand the test of time because they can’t adapt. So, figuring out how to do that in such a small industry has been something I constantly work on. I’ve learned that if you surround yourself with people who are better than you, it forces you to keep pushing yourself to be your best.
Why do you think so many people around the country identify with you and your work?
I am super privileged that people do seem to identify with my work. One thing that I have done since the beginning of my career was that I never tried to be perfect. I am not the best singer, I have no vocal training or any film training but I surround myself with people who know their stuff. I think there is a place in the entertainment industry for people who are vulnerable and who are not afraid to show their weaknesses. The entertainment scene is centered a lot around the idea of perfection. Everything is photoshopped and plastic in a sense where I approach my music and acting career where I accept that I am not perfect. You are going to hear the flaws in my vocals and my writing but at least that’s me and I think people identify with me because of that. They relate.
What’s your ultimate travel destination?
Winter is my favourite season so I would love to go Iceland. I would love to experience the season on such a larger scale than we experience it in South Africa. The landscapes look incredible and I have heard that the food and the overall experience there is one for the books.
What does 2020 have in store for you?
A lot more music. Throughout my career I have operated mostly in the Afrikaans industry but I think that after seeing the unity that the Rugby World Cup brought onto the nation and seeing what acts like Sho Madjozi are doing on a global scale, I want to experiment more. I want to collaborate more with artists who are different to me and my offering; who have a different culture, speak a different language. There’s magic in that and I think that’s how you grow and progress as an artist. It’s my 15th year in the entertainment industry and I want to do something major.
Catch Tropika Island of Treasure every Tuesday at 19h30 on SABC 3.
