Jayan Moodley: from teacher to director
FROM a book-loving nerd to a maths teacher, from IT specialist to stay-athome mom, Jayan Moodley’s life has taken many turns. Today she is force to be reckoned with as a pioneer for Indian women in the South African film industry.
She not only co-runs her own production company but also co-wrote and directed one of South Africa’s biggest successes, Keeping Up With the Kandasamys.
“I think the idea would have seemed like mission impossible for anyone 20 years ago. It was never something I was working towards” she says.
“I’ve never shied way from exploring different career paths. I started off as a maths teacher, moved into the corporate world for a few years, was a stay-at-home mother for years, then dived into media.”
Born in Shallcross, Durban, Moodley says she comes “from a very loving extended family. My dad has seven siblings and we were always visiting. My mother has four brothers, who made her the centre of their lives.
“There was always someone having a prayer or event, and plenty of good times with loads of cousins”, she says.
One of her first loves, she says, was not movies, but music. “I am, and always have been, a huge music lover. My tertiary aptitude lay in maths and science. I never envisaged entering the film world.
“I truly believe all happens for the best and that the universe conspires to help us find our way.”
Before the universe set her on her path to becoming a director and producer, Moodley found herself teaching. “I studied mathematics and computer science after school. I was a typical nerd. I love reading and would often bury myself in a book.”
In June 1995, Jayan married Sugen Moodley. They have two children and will celebrate 22 years of marriage this year.
“I’ve never doubted my choices,” she says, “but the reason for this is my husband, who constantly encourages me. His belief in me is phenomenal. When love is true, it feels right. There is nothing to question or give you doubts.”
That support counts for a lot in the face of those who are more sceptical.
“Everyone is entitled to their opinion. Of course, there will be misconceptions. It’s how I react to these misconceptions that I’m concerned with. It’s my behaviour and my words that matter to my journey.
“If something is best left alone, I will leave it. If a serious transgression demands justice, I simply cannot leave it.”
Moodley entered the entertainment industry when a friend asked for help with his IT department.
“My business partner, Suda Sing, opened African Lotus Productions 12 years ago and asked me to help set up the IT for the company. After that I was hooked.”
The company has since done more than 50 television productions and corporate DVDS as well as the 2010 feature film White Gold.
“Our first film, White Gold, was a passion. I loved every bit of the experience. It came together with the help of so many. Dinesh Naidoo of Serendipity Tours came on board and we had a small and determined team who worked long hours, with many sleepless nights, to bring