While the world was adapting to a new normal, Raheel Mottiar decided to take a leap of faith two years ago and pursue his dream of becoming an actor.
The Houghton resident said he was 15 years old when decided to invest in his dreams.
“During the 2020 school holidays, I auditioned for the International Arts & Talent Showcase which is held annually in Johannesburg. Among the judges were international agents such as Joey Hunter, Ms Rhayvnn Drummer and Nate Butler.”
He explained that out of the 1 000 people who auditioned, only 100 were selected to go abroad and he was ecstatic when he got the news to go to New York. “The opportunity made me grow as a person and actor, it also gave me confidence. Performing in front of judges and people who had the same dream as I do was daunting but the experience was worth it.”
The Grade 11 pupil said his passion for the arts began at the tender age of five. “My mom is British originally, so I grew up watching a lot of BBC and a lot of comedies and, for fun, I’d memorise the lines of the series which played. My dad also introduced me to the piano when I was five, so it was a combination of learning series lines and learning the piano.”
Mottiar added that his hobbies and extramural activities included creative arts. “I am currently doing Cambridge A-levels in drama which is equivalent to tertiary level. I am also involved in the production side of the plays at school, school choir and am part of the jazz band.”
His favourite artists include Miriam Makeba and Adrien Brody.
The 17-year-old said while he walked away with eight awards, two scholarships, and 10 call-backs in New York, his plan is to continue high school while maintaining his international art contacts which would come in handy when he was at tertiary level studying towards becoming an actor.
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