actors-from-south-africa

"What really stands out is how Dubai celebrates its diversity, blending tradition and modernity in a way that mirrors our own cultural tapestry. There’s a lot we can learn from how the city embraces and showcases its rich heritage alongside its modern influences."

"...you can’t visit Dubai without starting at the Burj Khalifa—the views from the top are simply breathtaking. But beyond the skyscrapers, I’d recommend exploring the Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood to really get a sense of Dubai’s cultural roots."

"If I knew marriage life was so great I would have married as soon as I found my other half"

"I love that you can experience all that beauty and relax without leaving the country."

"Travel, for me, is about expanding my horizons and connecting with different cultures on a deeper level. Every destination offers a unique lens through which I learn more about the world"

"To live life with a person who is constantly by your corner, supporting you and just loving you is amazing"

"By exploring different cultures, we not only enrich our own lives but also foster a deeper understanding of the global community."

"It’s about stepping beyond your comfort zone and discovering how much more there is out there."

"I’ve always known that I am an outsider, and I believe every actor has to arrive at that magical island where it’s okay to be different and set up shop on the beach"

"Google can teach you many different things, but certain acting tricks can only be learnt through experience."

"I decided to found the academy for actors already practicing in the sector who wish to upgrade and empower themselves"

"I’m one of those people who have been fortunate enough to run back to the theatre when I felt like doing so."

"Without any conscious intent, I have found that sometimes, when trying to bring a character to life, an instinct in me would force me to withdraw from the world of the set"

"I’ve always wanted to remain something of a stranger on set and to the other actors, since this has enabled me to choose how to interact and joust with the movie set – actors and crew – as an entity that I am part of, but, at the same time, apart from."

"Dancers are nimble, constantly getting their bodies ready. Musicians are always making noise. But actors only work when the agent calls. So, by the time they go into auditions, one is so out of touch with himself or herself or what is required in the industry"

"It’s also refreshing to step away from the small screen and hone my acting skills on stage."

"Things are interesting here in SA. You’re only at the top of your game if people see you acting on national broadcast channels"

"...letting go of someone that you love and shared your life with is not an easy road to travel. Everyday feels like the journey just began and will not end."

"A lot of people were saying that Uzalo was an amateur show, a creche for actors, but I thought they were on to something and took up the job. Something told me this was the right platform for me. It leaves me emotional when I think of what this show has done for me"

"No amount of alcohol, late nights out and different girls can make the feeling of emptiness."

"We have a very small film industry. If I tell you now in America, there will be over 400 movies being made. If I go to England now, I’ll find about 50 to 100. I don’t want to talk about Nigeria, probably 3,000. So, I don’t want to call it the South African film industry, so I would rather say the South African creative sector."

"There are so many beautiful and powerful stories in Africa. They are in our culture from the beginning of time. We were kings and queens before all this colonisation and oppression. Those are the stories we must tell so that our children and the next generation could know that Nelson Mandela was not the first. There were others way before him that led the charge of a free independent Africa"

"...to me as a reminder that every young actor rising in our nation carries the potential to change the world. May this inspire all who are on their way up to keep going, keep creating and keep believing."

"I visit prisons and even mines to perform for them and so I see this as an extension of what I do. The fact that I am on TV opens doors for me. Not that I want to be famous. I want to give back."

"If people don’t see you acting on traditional shows like Generation, Muvhango or Uzalo, it seems as though you’re not doing anything"

"I must admit this whole thing is a journey that I’ve been on for quite some time"

"They [producers] told me they wanted me to embody the role of a successful man who is battling a lot of demons and challenges that have taken him from glory to a bad place. This storyline is prevalent to many men in SA and as we keep peeling off the layers of detective Zakhele, we realise how important it is to highlight the issues he’s facing."

"More than anything, this is God’s timing. This role came at a great time in my life. It’s as if whatever I’ve been through and experienced, I can translate those emotions on TV through this character. I’m glad to be playing the role of someone real that people can resonate with."

"Generally speaking, a movie set is a wonderful place for an actor to be"

"I’m often described as “the crazy actor who camps in the bush”, but becoming an outsider has been a deliberate decision on my part"

"I read a lot to sharpen my tongue and look after myself so that I can be in character. I know that I can act. I know I can even just give people a look and that is enough to show my presence."

"Everytime I accept a role in a production, I never expect an award in the end."

"I needed a point of reference. I wanted to know where I’m seeking this character from."

"You have to go through a process of giving your best and competing with the best in the industry"

"Acting is something I would do even if I was not getting paid. It’s my first love, and it’s a craft that I am willing to spend my entire life perfecting"

"This win is for us all, for Botswana and for South Africa. It is a win for Africa"

"This year I said no to five soapies or drama series. Because you ask me, ‘Can you speak Zulu’? My brother, if you can’t speak Zulu, be prepared to starve. Tell me one soapie without Zulus, I will give you a million (rand). In SA, if you can’t speak Zulu you are as good as scrambled eggs. It’s a big thing."

"It’s not about the number of followers you have but the craft that you bring to the set. And those of us who are actors bafethu nothing lasts like discipline and professionalism."

"I think these villainous roles chose me. I grew up in church. My father was a bishop and I am a youth pastor so playing these roles is a big gap between my actual life back home and what I'm playing on screen."

"You dare not upstage or upset the ‘Lead’. This is not an exaggeration. Acting is like playing a tennis game. It’s a give and take"

"Certain things need to be in place for such a traditional practice."

"It meant a lot to me. I’m happy to have a platform to inspire young artists, especially those from rural areas who feel this career is out of reach. Everything is possible if you focus on your craft, keep learning and continue to grow"

"This story resonates deeply with me as a person from the township. It portrays how easy it is to get caught up in difficult situations while trying to reach for your dreams"

"When we are shooting, we shoot out of sequence, but when I watched it at the end, I felt like there was hope"

"As a pastor and bishop's son you always have to lead by example and with these roles, every time people question me and I tell them the contrast, they get shocked."

"When I speak, when I act, when I think, when I feel like Musuthu [Sotho people], there’s very little work I have to do, because I know who I am"

"If you’re ready to get married, make sure everything is sorted out. Marriage doesn’t seem easy – it comes with many sacrifices and things you’ll need to look past."

"It’s in recognizing that it’s okay for a woman to take care of the household if she earns more – it has nothing to do with my level of being a man in the home"

"Essentially, if things are not fair between two people, it builds some sort of resentment."

"It’s been enjoyable and challenging. As artists, we always face obstacles and push through, trying to be as creative as possible, learning from other actors, and respecting the craft"