Izak’s happy to be back in Benoni
He made his television debut as Scab in the Afrikaans soap opera Egoli and portrays Bradley Haines in the popular soap opera Isidingo, but before Izak Davel rose to national stardom, he had to pay his dues.
He moved to Benoni from Pretoria about three months ago and spoke to the City Times about his family, his achievements and what he has planned for the future.
In 1994 Izak joined the Drakenberg Boys Choir for two years.
“When the choirmaster moved to Lady Grey near Aliwal North in 1995, I followed him and enrolled in the Lady Grey Arts Academy,” he said.
This is also where he matriculated.
Izak was born in Pretoria but lived in Benoni earlier in his life.
He was in Laërskool Putfontein from Grade One to Grade Four.
When he was in Grade 10, Izak started doing ballet and ended up studying the discipline at the Tshwane University of Technology.
Unfortunately, his knees were damaged and he had to quit ballet.
He said this was a blessing in disguise, however, as this led to him prioritising his acting career.
Izak decided to do music theatre for three years and starred in Joseph and His Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and Jesus Christ Superstar.
After this he acted in Egoli and Isidingo.
When asked about his childhood, Izak said he can’t remember much about it, but he laughingly remembered getting a hiding when needed.
“My father, Dewald is a priest and my mother Irma is a music teacher,” he said, indicating that he grew up in a traditional Afrikaans yet arts-oriented home.
His parents now live in Molteno in the Eastern Cape.
He said his parents and his grandfather, Flip Cronje, are his role models.
“I can’t say someone is my role model if I don’t know them personally,” he explained.
His brothers also pursued careers in arts.
Philip also studied ballet and owns a ballet studio in Bloemfontein and Hattingh completed various music degrees at the University of the Free State and the North West University.
Izak is happily married to Mericke and, according to him, they have three dog-children, two Scottish Terriers and a Great Dane.
Izak said his favourite parts of Benoni are the abundance of trees, the parks where he can walk his dogs and the fact that everyone works in their own gardens.
“Now I don’t have to be ashamed if I garden without a shirt,” he joked.
He also said he would like to be more involved and give back to the community.
“I have 16 years of experience and I would like to teach children independence and discipline because that is what the arts thought me,” he said.
Also read: Students become the masters
Follow us on these platforms:
Like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter.
For news straight to your phone invite us:
WhatsApp: 079 431 1217
Instagram: benonicitytimes.co.za
