AUSTIN ROSE THE TALENT; Art, Purpose and the Dream of a United Africa

Austin infront of the
 art at Bush radio.

South African actor, singer and performer Austin Rose is entering a new chapter in his artistic journey but for him, success has never simply been about fame. For Austin Rose, the arts have been part of his life since childhood. He started singing at the age of 10, with his first experiences rooted in the church, before discovering acting as a teenager. Today, he is an accomplished performer who has worked across film, television, theatre and music, and is now preparing to introduce audiences to another side of himself through his debut album. Speaking on BackChat on Bush Radio, Rose spoke on the journey that took him from singing in church to appearing in major productions. “My mom was the one who was always like; do it like this, not like that,” Rose recalled, describing the important role his mother played in his musical development. He says music is also deeply rooted in his family, with his grandmother having been a singer.

His transition into acting came almost unexpectedly. While he was attending Forest Heights High School in Grade 9, Rose auditioned for a production that was scouting young talent in the Western Cape. Out of around 500 young people, he was selected for a role. “At the time, I never even knew that I would one day play in a film,” he said. That opportunity eventually led to his appearance in Call Me Thief, a feature film that became an important milestone in his career. Rose played a lead role and was later nominated for an African Movie Academy Award for his performance. For the young performer, working alongside experienced actors was an education in itself. “I just learned a lot working on that project. I learned a lot from the people I was working with,” he said. The experience also gave him the passion and drive to continue pursuing acting. 

Austin signing the wall of fame 

Rose's career also took him onto the set of the international series Of Kings and Prophets, where he worked alongside an international production team and Hollywood actors. He describes the experience as a blessing, particularly because he was among performers from Cape Town selected for the production “It was really fantastic because we were working with ABC Studios, Hollywood,” Rose said Despite working alongside established international actors, Rose remembers the support he received from the crew. He recalls being applauded when he stepped onto set and being encouraged to “do it for our people” and for South Africa. Although the series was ultimately cancelled after its third episode following backlash over its adaptation of biblical stories, Rose says the experience remains a memorable part of his career.

Austin after the interview.

Beyond film and television, Rose has also performed in musical theatre. For him, theatre carries a different kind of energy because there is no opportunity to stop and start again. “You don't get it more real than that,” he explained. The moment he enjoys most comes at the end of a performance, when the cast takes a bow and receives the audience's response. “That recognition from the audience that the work that you've put in paid off,” is what makes theatre special to him. With 13 years as a live performer, Rose says he has become well-rounded when it comes to performing.

While acting remains an important part of his identity, Rose is now preparing for another major step: his debut album. His musical journey has taken him through several genres. He started with gospel before moving into pop and R&B, and now identifies himself as a reggae artist. “That’s definitely what you can expect from the debut album,” he said. Rose is keeping details of the project close to his chest for now, including the record label involved, but he promises that the album will carry a distinctly Cape Town flavour, while also using the project to share more of his personal and musical background with listeners.

But the album is about more than simply introducing new music. For Rose, it is an opportunity to communicate a deeper purpose. “I am an artist. But before I am an artist, I'm a human being,” he said. That philosophy shapes how he views his career and the responsibility that comes with being an artist. Rose believes artists have a role beyond entertainment. “I believe the job of an artist is to find a way and to save the soul of mankind,” he said. For him, music can be a vehicle for healing, upliftment and social change — a tradition he believes has been carried by artists across generations.

Despite receiving major recognition for his acting, Rose says one of his biggest priorities is remaining grounded. Reflecting on his African Movie Academy Award nomination, he said he remains grateful that he can still walk among his people without seeing himself as being above anyone else. “Because I'm not higher than anyone. We are all equal,” he said. For Rose, recognition is therefore less about separating himself from his community and more about appreciating the journey and remaining honest about the message he puts into his work.

Perhaps one of the most personal moments of the interview came when Rose spoke about growing up in Easter River and the challenges he faced as a young artist. He openly acknowledged that the journey was not easy. “I myself, at one stage in my career and in my personal life as a young man from Easter River, you know, from one of the ghettos of Cape Town, it was not easy,” he said. He spoke about the influence of his surroundings, the people around him and the difficult choices that came with growing up in his environment. Yet he does not see leaving home as meaning abandoning where he comes from. “I've always had to make peace with the fact that even though I leave, I will always return,” Rose said. “Because home is where it's at. Home is where the inspiration came from.” His message to young artists is therefore deeply personal: keep creating, even when circumstances make it difficult. “Never stop  making music,” he encouraged. He described music as a form of healing and urged artists to continue putting their passion into their craft because they never know when the right opportunity or the right person will recognise their talent.

Ultimately, Rose's ambition stretches beyond becoming a successful actor or musician. His biggest dream is to use his artistry to contribute towards a more united Africa. “I would like to one day be known as one of the artists who will be a part of uniting Africa,” he said. For Rose, that means an Africa where different races, ethnicities and cultures can accept and encourage one another despite their differences. It is a big dream, but one he hopes will become part of the legacy he leaves behind.

As Austin Rose moves into this next chapter with his debut album, his story remains rooted in the same place where his artistic journey began community, family, music and purpose. And if his journey so far is anything to go by, this may only be the beginning.

Written By Unathi Ngomana