The transformation of K1
Mpho Maswikila | Thursday January 8, 2015 11:43
It may seem like he was up to his usual partying ways, but this young man has turned over a new leaf.
Ramontshonyana was raised in a humble Christian family in Kanye. His artistic talents were unearthed at Ngwaketse Junior Shool in 1991, when he joined the school debate club with the likes of Shanti-Lo. At that time, K1 was also a member of the school drama group as well as the athletics team.
“Things got out of hand when I went to Seepapitso Senior Secondary School. Although I kept busy, as I was in the debate and drama groups, I also started getting involved in unruly behaviour. I also took drugs and alcohol,” he said.
After completing his secondary education, K1 enrolled at Monash University in South Africa, where he studied International Relations and Communications.
After graduating in 2008, he returned to Botswana. It was around this time that he auditioned for Big Brother and was selected to represent Botswana in the reality television show.
“I had the opportunity to tour the world and network with different people. I realised that you are at your most vulnerable when you are famous because then you have everything you need at your fingertips; whether money, alcohol or drugs. You can even bag any girl you want because they throw themselves at you. Unfortunately, I got carried away by the fame,” he said.
The former reality star said all along, he knew his parents were praying for him to go back to church and be the kind of man they could be proud of. He, on the other hand, didn’t see the importance of returning to church.
Ramontshonyana continued with his fast lifestyle and lapped up the attention he got in the company of his celebrity friends. This was until some day in August last year, when during a visit to his sister in Mochudi, she pleaded with him to attend a church camp meeting with her.
“I was skeptical about finding a comfortable space in church but upon my arrival I found warm and welcoming people in a less competitive space. I was appreciated and it was then that I realised that I needed the Lord more than I thought,” he said.
Since that ‘Aha’ moment, Ramontshonyana has become a model of change. He volunteers for BRRO, a non-governmental organisation for ex-offenders going through rehabilitation, as a communications specialist.
The gregarious artist shared that he had to shave off his dreadlocks, which he treasured, as a sign of sacrifice. He said he realised that as he embarks on his new journey, it was important to change certain things to allow Christ to occupy a bigger space within him. Ramontshonyana now has his eyes on greater things.
He is currently focused on his leather design company, which he wants to see growing in leaps and bounds. He, however, cannot stop talking about his satisfying relationship with Jesus Christ and the marvel of His power, and shares that he puts Him before everything in his life.
When quizzed about his numerous talents he said he is confident in his skills. “I believe I am an all-round artist. I am in the arts industry, so I enhance my skills in all aspects. I play various instruments from the keyboard to the guitar. I also act, write poetry and design my own outfits. I am all about art,” he said.
Ramontshonyana, who now works at the Kanye youth office, has decided to give his poetic talent a new direction. With his changed lifestyle and plans under his sleeve, his fans should anticipate bigger and greater things from the artist.