S’thembizo Khoza is a gangster in Mzansi Magic’s telenovela The Queen.
Photo by
Noko Mashilo
S’thembizo Khoza combined features of five real people
to come up with Shaka Khoza, the character he plays in The
Queen.
The 31-year-old actor, known as SK, told Daily Sun
he had to go to his kasi – Ntuzuma in Durban – to develop the character.
“I interviewed five guys, who are all thugs in real life.
“One of the guys shoots for no reason. Another is a burglar.
“There’s a loving man, a foul-mouthed guy and even a rapist.”
Between the five of them, they make up Shaka.
“I don’t have any formal acting education, but I react to the
actors and the role.”
He likes it that his role is associated with Shaka, the Zulu king,
and with Henry Cele, who acted the role of Shaka in the 1986 TV series.
SK said that, even though viewers love his character, it haunts him
sometimes.
“The character can consume my mind, body and soul, but I have a way
to reconnect with myself,” he said.
“Acting is an escape from real life, but I mustn’t lose
myself.”
He had his first acting role in The Buddy
Holy Story the musical in 2010. That same year he got a call from Channel O,
offering him a presenter job on Mzansi Ridez. He worked as a
field presenter for Vuzu M and Channel O between 2010 and 2013.
He had his first lead role in the comedy drama series, Ayeye. Playboy Neo is caught having sex by his child and baby mama,
and celebrates winning an award by going stark naked on the balcony.
SK’s confidence and self-esteem are his weapons as an actor. He
uses his karate skills for his fighting scenes, and in situations that require
discipline.
