They are the cream of the film and television crop.
The creators of the new ETV drama series, Smoke & Mirrors, have spared nothing to ensure they give viewers the best of what TV can offer by having a stellar cast.
From Mavuso Magabane, formerly known as Meshack Mavuso, to Angela Sithole the cast is nothing short of amazing.
In a media meet and greet at the e.tv offices, Drum sits down with some of the people South Africans has come to love and hate because of the characters they play on TV.
He was introduced to the country as Javas at Supatsela High School on the legendary Yizo Yizo. Over the years, he has played other equally iconic roles like that of geologist Vusi Moletsane of Horizon Deep on Isidingo.
Mavuso Magabane tells the story of how he changed his name from Meshack Mavuso.
“I was raised by my grandmother from my mother’s side. Then later in life, when I was around 25 or 26 years old, I found my dad. Then I had to change my surname to his because I did not want my children to have the same problem I had of using the incorrect surname.
“I did not want to disregard my mother’s surname, so I decided to use Mavuso as my first name. Now I go by Mavuso Magabane. But I still respond to Meshack, because that is what I am known as. I find it remarkable that well over 20 years later, there are people who still call me Javas.”
When he talks about his longevity in the industry, Mavuso says it is way bigger than him.
“It’s God and my ancestors, man, nothing else. They are the ones that guide me. When I look back at how things have happened in the last few years, I can definitely say it was not me, angihambi ngedwa (I do not walk alone).”
He says no one who comes into the industry should do so because they want fame, if they want to stay long.
“To me, this is a calling. I love telling stories and changing lives. All the characters I have played have all had an impact. So, it is not only about just entertainment. I respect what I do, and I think that is why I have been able to stay put all these years.
“If you come into this, you mustn’t be looking for fame or wanting to be seen. This must be respected. We have seen on sets that it can be problematic when we have more celebrities than artists. Producers must also be careful of this thing where people are asked how many social media followers they have when they are at auditions.
Read more | ETV's new Smoke & Mirrors promises mystery with their all-star cast
“I know I’ve done a lot in my career, but I would still like to do a lot. I will act until I’m old.”
Much like how the people of the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal “fight” about where musician Black Coffee is really from, the people of the Eastern Cape and Gauteng often “fight” over Zolisa Xaluva’s true identity.
He settles it once and for all, saying he is from the Eastern Cape.
“Haha, this is really not complicated. A person is from where their roots are and my roots are in the Eastern Cape. I am from Gqeberha in the Eastern Cape. Those who say I am from Gauteng because of whatever schools I went to are not necessarily wrong. I have spent a lot of time this side. But the place that has my roots, where my mother still resides, is the Eastern Cape. When I say I am going home, I mean Gqeberha.”
He has played many roles, but no one can forget him playing the tall, handsome and very gay Jason on Generations.
“I am old school actor. I believe in following the basic principles of the craft. That means being one with the character, but it also means keeping my private life private and not being mainstream, because that would mean becoming marketable and performing to be seen. I also believe a bit of mystery is good.
“I believe it is very important for actors to know why we do what we do. Where you are known for the quality of work that you do and being actually good at it. Having an impact and informing social discussions is also very important. We can only truly have the kind of impact we want to have when we do right by the characters. I played a homosexual when it wasn’t fashionable to do so, and with that, we were able to heighten the consciousness of the viewers.”
He has portrayed everything from a drug dealer to a well-respected school principal and Zolisa says he would still like to play many other roles, including influential political figures.
“As an actor, you’re only as good as your last job. Growing up, I wanted to study law, but I had no commitment to school. I consoled myself with the fact that that I can at least still play a lawyer. I would also like to play a Chris Hani, Robert Sobukwe or even Nelson Mandela. Mandela represents the compromising that had to be done to get us here, Sobukwe represents black consciousness and Hani reminds us that we can forgive, but we can never forget.”
He is one of the many stars that are not necessarily active on social media, and he says that is deliberate.
“I just want to act,” he laughs.
“Right now, besides acting, my only other ambition is producing and when that happens, people will know through the right channels and not social media. There is a fake Twitter @RealZolisa which was flattering at first. But then they started to scam people in my name, saying I was holding acting classes or people needed to deposit monies and that was not me. What has made things worse now is that because the blue verification tick is now for sale, they have bought and paid for the tick, even though it is a fake account.”
His real Twitter handle is @TallZo and he is not on Facebook.
Remember the sweet and lovable Nomsa on Yizo Yizo? Who would have thought she would grow up to be the deceptive Zungazi on The River or the snobbish Veronica on How to ruin Christmas?
Charmaine Mtinta laughs when she tells Drum how intentional she is about living her life and not basing it on what she does on TV.
“This is just work. Just like everyone else also has their own 9-5’s, this is mine. At the beginning of my career, I had to remind myself constantly that I am not special and that I should not believe the hype. I just live my quiet life with my friends and my kids.”
Yes, kids. She is a mom of two and she has been divorced since 2009.
“I was married for 10 years, and we had two kids, a boy and a girl. My daughter is now 24 and my son 13 years old. We do not know the details of your private life, so why should you know the details of mine? I’m just a simple woman who goes to work and comes home to her family," she says.
Read more | Siya Raymond Sepotokele on his new role as a cancer survivor on SABC2’s Muvhango
She's got some words of wisdom for upcoming actors.
“This industry can be very cruel if you do not have a firm stand. Do not believe the hype. Treat this like any other job, live within your means and stay grounded. Know who you are. Know thy self. Do not be fooled all the lights, they are not real,” she says.
Angela Sithole and Siya Raymond Sepotokele play the Buthelezi husband and wife duo. They are in love and devoted to each other, but they are struggling to have children.
Speaking to Drum, the hilarious duo taps into their comedic side, and do the interview in Durban Indian accents.
They say playing heavy storylines takes a toll on them, but it is a labour of love because they realise it’s a reflection of society.
“Nothing beats someone coming up to you and thanking you for portraying a certain character’s storyline in a particular way because suddenly, they feel like they are not alone. They feel seen. And the only way you are able to get audiences to resonate with you like that is if you are honest to the character,” says Siya who plays Sakhile.
Angela says portraying a character like Nthabiseng is tough.
“But no matter how hard it is, I think about the people who are living the character’s reality and do not have an option to tap out. You have to dig deep within yourself so the viewers can relate to the character,” she says.
If he wasn’t acting, he would probably be an opera singer, but if he were not in the entertainment industry, then he would have been a doctor or an engineer.
“Most people just look at us and think ‘ag what do these actors know’ they do not know how smart we actually are.”
A lot of the characters he plays, he is someone’s husband and he jokes that “clearly I look like someone people need to be with.”
“On in Impilo: The Scam I played a criminal and there you realise that the most dangerous person doesn’t necessarily have to be the scariest looking one. I’ll never forget what the director said to me there, they said ‘don’t act, make it believable. Be genuine.”
Smokes & Mirrors plays on ETV on weeknights at 9pm.
