HUMBULANI, who plays Mulimisi in Muvhango, had a madala who was a sangoma.
“My grandad died when I was young. Family members and the people from my village say I play the role of Mulimisi as if it was my grandad,” he said.
“They said if something was going to happen to me my grandad would tell me beforehand, just like Mulimisi does in the soapie.”
Humbulani Tsharani (34) from Tshino Village in Venda, Limpopo plays the role of the powerful sangoma who protects and heals the Vhakwevho, the royal family.
He said he joined the soapie during the open auditions. “The creator, Duma Ndlovu, kept me after he noticed my talent.
“I was later given a character as Lufuno’s crazy boyfriend. She was the only one who understood him,” said Humbulani.
Humbulani won many fan’s hearts with his convincing style as a sangoma. The way he shakes his body, pops his eyes and grunts makes it seem like he is a true sangoma.
It is not surprising that some of his fans mistake him for a traditional healer in real life.
He said he met a gogo in the North West who had swollen feet and was hoping he could help her.
“She asked me for my number. The following day she called me. When I told her I was not a healer, she cried.”
He said some people even asked him to give them muthi.
“And when I can’t help, they tell me I don’t take my job as a sangoma seriously. They said they saw me healing many people and why not them?” he said.
“Some people plead with me to heal the chief’s son, otherwise they will lose faith in me.”
Humbulani said he was happy with the relationship between himself, Mulimisi and the director.
“I am allowed to switch into character completely. It has been like this for the past seven years,” he said.
“On set I forget about Humbulani and think about Mulimisi.”
Humbulani’s signature phrase when he reads the bones is well-known: “Vho makhulukuku wanga, vhoiwe vha matongoni, ndi ani vhidzelela nandi dzowa nga
thwalima zwino.”
