There is a new king on the block and he is off to represent South Africa in Las Vegas.
Raeez Abdul, 27, who was born with Down Syndrome, has been recently selected to be the first-ever face of Magnificent Man Icon (MMI) Phenomenal Mr South Africa 2019.
He was scouted by officials from Magnificent Woman Icon (MWI) when he ran onto the stage at the Shumeez Scott Foundation Fashion Show in November last year.
Mitchells Plain meisie Shumeez is a model and Down Syndrome activist who has won two national and international beauty pageants.
Raeez’s sister Kashiefa Matthews says the Rondebosch East klong has always had a love for music, dance and entertaining.
MINSTREL FAME: Face of the D6 Entertainers. Photo: Supplied
“At the fashion show, Raeez blew the crowd away when he ran on stage and started dancing along with the artist performing at the time,” says the proud sister.
“He did his modelling down the ramp like a pro and again the crowd went crazy. He was then spotted by MWI International via the Shumeez Scott Foundation.
“When I heard the news, I couldn’t hold back the tears as this is a dream that we all had for him. Because of his character, he loves being in the spotlight and is always the entertainer.”
Raeez, who loves the minstrels, says he is excited at the opportunity to go overseas.
“I can’t wait to make South Africa proud and I can’t wait to fly in the aeroplane,” he says.
OPPORTUNITY: He can’t wait to fly. Photo: Supplied
Kashiefa says Raeez gets his kwaai moves from repeatedly watching videos of his idols, Cape Flats entertainers Emo and Loukmaan Adams.
“He simply loves the Adams brothers, and he makes it known every time he sees them.”
She says Raeez has represented many troupes in the minstrel carnival and this year was chosen to be the face of D6 Entertainers.
Raeez will be crowned as Mr MMI SA on Friday at the Darul Islam Hall in Greenhaven.
And then he is off to Las Vegas in August where he will compete against models from other countries for the global crown.