Shevlyn Mottai was born in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, in a family of fourth-generation migrants from Arcot in Tamil Nadu, India, to Durban in Natal, South Africa. As a single parent, Mottai’s mother sold samosas, stitched aprons, and worked in a shoe factory to bring up her two daughters. In her interaction with journalist Estelle Sinkins, Mottai talks of this struggle and how she owed it to her community to share stories of resilience. From attending a range of schools accessible in her neighborhood, Mottai studied Science and English at the University of Durban Westville while also preparing to be a teacher. Mottai’s professional journey took her first to Johannesburg and eventually to the United Kingdom. She is based in Eastbourne, East Sussex, where she initially worked as the Deputy Headteacher and English Teacher at the Ratton School and now holds the position of Principal at the Seahaven School.