A matric boy’s dream came true on Friday night when he was escorted to his matric ball by none other than Idols SA winner Paxton Fielies.
The teen was shocked when Paxton, looking stunning in a long rose-gold gown and her hair in a curly bob, arrived at his Delft house.
Zaheer Adams, 17, who attends Roosendal High School, burst into tears when he learnt the bubbly singer would be accompanying him to his matric dance.
His dream was made true by Kuils River designer Brandon van der Vyfer from B-Styled SA.
Zaheer had been attending a mentorship programme by Brandon for the past year.
“Zaheer is from Delft and is underprivileged. His father isn’t around really and mom is ill and cannot work,” explains Brandon.
“Zaheer takes it upon himself to stand in and be the support his mom needs. Many times there isn’t money and he would make a way for money. “
Brandon says when he learnt of Zaheer’s circumstances, he immediately jumped in to help with his matric ball.
“We dressed him in a three-piece suit and AJ Bricks supplied a car. And when Paxton heard about the project to help Zaheer, she didn’t hesitate to be his partner.
“We would like to show kids that if you work hard there will always be a reward for you.”
As Paxton walked into the lounge, a shocked Zaheer was speechless.
Zaheer said: “I really didn’t expect this at all, everything else was amazing and having her as my partner was the cherry on top,” the excited teen said.
Paxton, who recently turned 18, says it was a highlight of her life, as she never had her own matric ball.
“I was so excited to be his partner, and especially surprising him. He cried when he saw me and this warmed my heart,” she says.
Photo: Supplied
“He told me I’m his role model and that of many youngsters in his community.
“Coming from the same type of community where gangsterism and drugs are rife, I can relate to him.”
The Bishop Lavis resident was in Grade 11 when she won Idols and it has been her dream to return to school to complete her matric.
“Knowing I will never have my own matric ball, I could live that moment thanks to him. A matric ball is a special moment each student will remember,” she says.
Zaheer and Paxton were chauffeured to the ball in a vintage 1958 Chevrolet Apache.
Paxton escorted him to the Skilpadvlei Wine Estate in Stellenbosch, where she took pictures with her date.