Dominic Adriaanse
HANOVER Park ballet star-in-the-making Faakhir Bestman has become the first recipient of the inaugural Christopher Kindo Dance Scholarship.
The Blomvlei Primary School pupil, 12, has gone from strength to strength since being spotted in a contemporary dance class at the Eoan Group School of Performing Arts when he was eight years old.
His latest triumph comes shortly after he was accepted at the prestigious American Academy of Ballet Summer School for Excellence at Purchase College, State University of New York.
He leaves for the US next month.
Faakhir is very proud of his achievement and is focusing on becoming even better.
“I enrolled at the Eoan School when I was eight. When the principal saw me dance, he said ballet needed me.
“And since then it’s been my dream to dance everywhere in the world.”
He knows very little of Kindo, but said he was amazed when told about the acclaimed dancer’s struggle for recognition during the apartheid years.
“My dance teacher brought me the poster for the tribute show at the Artscape, and told me about Kindo.
“I performed a solo at our school’s progression show, which won me the scholarship.”
Growing up in a gang-and drug-infested neighbourhood has not been easy for him, he said.
Another obstacle he has had to overcome, he said, is that he has never heard his mother utter these words to him: “I’m proud of you, my son.”
His grandmother, Ayesha Bestman, said Faakhir’s mother loves him, but feels she cannot be part of the life her son is striving for.
“She waits for videos and CDs of his performances, but doesn’t go to watch him.”
She said she watched Faakhir’s performance on her own at Artscape, and it broke her heart.
Applauz Arts Initiative Creative director Natalia Da Rocha, who co-ordinated the Christopher Kindo tribute, said the scholarship is the first of the Legacy Project, which is much bigger than just dance.
“We have been fortunate with Faakhir. We spent seven performances with him backstage and onstage.
“We have no doubt that he has the talent and the passion, and is worthy of the inaugural Christopher Kindo Dance Scholarship.
“Choosing a career in the creative field is a challenging path.
“Faakhir will be supported and will make his dancing dreams a reality.”