OLWETHU “Mackhanic” Mackay always understands the assignment and is fast becoming one of Mzansi's favourite TV stars.
The 19-year-old actor, who plays Senzo Zwide on House Of Zwide, said he is happy with his role and enjoys every moment on set.
The Joburg-born performer said: "I am a professional actor and part-time musician. I am currently studying a motion picture course at AFDA with the hope of becoming a qualified director."
He said he never really knew that he was meant to be an actor.
"It’s a realisation that sort of fell in my lap. It never really dawned on me that acting in South Africa would be an achievable goal until my matric year when my school exposed us to more auditions," he said.
Mackhanic said when he was in grade 9 at Mondeor High School in Joburg, his older sister took part in house plays and he was a crew member handling the spotlight.
ALSO READ : Generations: The Legacy star in hospital!
"Seeing her performance inspired me to audition for plays the following year. I landed a lead role in a school production and went on to win the Best Actor Award at Mondeor High School. A family friend introduced me to the National School of the Arts. I was transferred to the school after an audition for dramatic arts. In my matric year (2021) the production company Bomb Productions held auditions for all the grades and I took part," he said.
Mackhanic said he got a callback after a few weeks and later received word that they were keen to give him a long-term role as Senzo Zwide.
"I was inspired to keep pushing when I started working with so many industry legends,” he said.
Mackhanic said he was so excited about this role.
"House of Zwide was my first big break. I never acted professionally before this. I would only participate in school theatre shows and was an extra on Rhythm City,” he said.
He said he is now trying to focus more on his music career.
"I’ll be releasing a lot of music this year and it’ll be a way more evolved sound in comparison to Amakhosi/Myekeleni, which I released in 2020. I see myself pursuing acting further,” he said.
"Our industry is slowly but surely opening and making way for new talent. So, my job is to actively put myself out there. Music and acting are where my interests lie. My eyes are set on finishing my motion picture course and building my skill set in the film game. My goal is to eventually own a production company."
