A Kenilworth girl has conquered Africa with her drawings.
Eleven-year-old Ayla Bopape was crowned the sketch queen at the virtual African Comic Con that was held over the weekend.
The tween went up against experienced artists from across the continent, but no one could quite wield a pencil like her and she emerged as the youngest ever sketch battle champ.
An overwhelmed Ayla says: “It has not properly sunk in yet, but I am happy I won.”
Ayla is the talented daughter of actor Thabo Bopape, who has appeared in films such as Operation Brothers (2019), Bhai’s Cafe (2019) and The Forgiven (2017).
For the hotly-contested sketch competition, contestants were given randomly chosen themes.
Ayla says: “The first day’s theme was IMAGINARY – I just pictured myself in my room imagining all sorts of things.
“The semifinals theme was WACKY, and I just drew wacky things. For the one in the finals, I was inspired by my teacher – the word was TEACH.”
The winning sketch is of her and her teacher.
The tween adds: “The drawing was not hard, but it was nerve-wracking to be in it (the competition).
“The artists I was competing against were very talented, so I did not actually think I was going to win.”
Participants had to post their art on Instagram with the hashtags #VXARTTOURNAMENT and #CCAONLINE, tagging Comic Con Africa.
This was Ayla’s first competition, but she started drawing from the age of five years old, says mom Rhoda Isaacs.
“We are all very proud of her, and these last few days have been a rollercoaster of emotions – supporting her, getting networks to watch and vote, and waiting for the results,” she says.
“We always knew she was talented, her work is beautiful with many styles. People always comment on her art.”