Raheem Hoosen performed a show-stopping performance at a team building event.
Image: Supplied
From humble beginnings as a POST paper boy to regional manager at Pick n Pay, Raheem Hoosen's journey culminated in a viral dance performance that is motivating staff across Cape Town.
In the viral video, Hoosen enters a team building event dancing to Kendrick Lamar’s Not like Us while everyone claps along with him.
Hoosen, who grew up in Unit 3 in Chatsworth, near the Bangladesh Market, said his first job was a paper boy, delivering the POST newspaper.
After matriculating from Glenover Secondary School in Westcliff, he left Durban for Cape Town.
With just a matric certificate and a hope to make a success of his life, Hoosen, now 42, worked as a shelf packer in Ottery Hyper.
He then moved up the corporate ladder - to regional manager of the Western Cape.
“Growing up in an area where making it far in life was difficult. Our school was dangerous but I wanted to make it out. I came to Cape Town as a normal person from the streets; someone who lived in a tough place and I grew into someone I am proud of.”
He said the team building event was held at the Capetonian Hotel and was meant to motivate the staff of Constantia.
“It was a motivational day, where we aimed to elevate the morale of the staff and re-instill the values of Raymond Ackerman. If the staff shows good service to the customers, then those who enter our stores will be happy. We wanted to empower them to be better.”
His dance was inspired by Lamar’s Super Bowl performance.
“I danced to the lyrics 'they do not like us’, as if to say that other retailers are not like us, just to motivate the staff.”
He said the varsity jacket he wore for the performance was his own, from Penn State University in the United States, where he studied business management in 2013.
“From the song choice to my clothes, they all had meaning to me. I attended the university after Pick n Pay paid for my studies as a way to empower non-white individuals. I wanted to show through my entrance that no matter where you come from, you can make it in life.
"Always stay humble in life. My dad always taught me to never forget where you came from and always be grateful."
From the comment section on the video, some people referred to him as the "big boss of Pick n Pay".
“They call me that because I am known as a fair and firm person. Some even know me from my early days."
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