WATCH: Star from the street
ODE OF HOPE: Shihaam Fisher, 39, of Bonteheuwel
Musicians Robin Pieters and Craig Lucas hosted their online concert, An Ode To Women, on Saturday to ring in Women’s Month and say they were blown away by how much the show has impacted their lives.
Robin and Craig started planning their show two months ago, but it quickly took on a life of its own after they heard homeless Shihaam Fisher singing.
They saw a video of Shihaam, aka Yummy, on social media, performing Tamia’s version of Careless Whisper in the parking lot at a Parow mall, where she works as a car guard.
“When you close your eyes and just listen, you’d never know how much pain and suffering this woman endured, all her troubles seem to fade away when she sings,” says Robin.
The pair went in search of the mother of three and met her “at work”, where she was brought to tears.
Shihaam, 39, impressed them so much that they decided to make her part of their show.
“Robin and Craig really surprised me with this kind gesture, not only did they find me but they tracked my family in ccccc where my three children live with my grandma,” she says.
Yummy got a kwaai makeover and rehearsed for a week before the show.
She has since decided to go back to her family in Bontas and kick her drug habit at a rehab centre.
Yummy says she’s been on drugs since 12, but has been clean for the past 10 days.
“I smoked tik and mandrax since childhood, I ran away from home in 2012 after being in a 13-year abusive relationship,” she reveals.
“I lived under a bridge in Bellville and moved from one bridge to the next. I’m done with drugs, I want to rebuild a relationship with my family.”
Meanwhile, a viewer of the online show called Robin and Craig to say she wants to revamp Yummy’s ouma’s home.
“I am so grateful to everyone who reached out to assist me,” says Yummy.
“I am not a trained singer and was very nervous. But this is my time to shine. During the show, I thought about how much I hurt my family and I knew it was time to make things right.”
An Ode to Women also featured Karin Kortje and Anslin Gysman among others.
A portion of the proceeds will go to Shihaam and her family.'