Duduza artist on top of the world
Matlala is working on an album for release later this year.
Duduza – Duduza-born and raised artist Tumelo Matlala is making waves in the entertainment industry.
Matlala is a father of four, a husband, an actor and a gospel artist with three albums under his belt.
He attended Iphahamiseng Primary School and MOM Sebone High. Later, he went to PC Training College but did not complete the course, and Star Quality Academy, where he majored in production.
He directed shows such as Speak Out, Kulcha Kwest and SABC One’s Nyan Nyan.
His three albums are Mzalwane, his first offering released in 2008, Blessed Generation and From the Heart of a Man to God, released as a live album at the Springs Theatre in 2018.
Matlala stayed in Johannesburg for a few years before returning to Dunnottar on East Rand, where he currently lives.
“I moved to Jo’burg for better opportunities. It is costly moving from the East to Jozi when chasing opportunities, auditions and so forth,” said Matlala.
He started acting in 2007 in Mzansi Bioscop films on DStv’s Mzansi Magic and landed his first big role on Generations The Legacy in 2016, where he played Detective Roberts.
Matlala recently starred in Durban Gen as Dr Skhumbuzo Khumalo, who was molested at a young age by his cousin.
Despite this, he grew up to be a doctor but still had anger issues, causing him to murder someone on the show.
“This was a difficult role for me. I had to research men who had difficult upbringings, so I visited prisons to find out more about such men,” he said.
Matlala said although we cannot promote things done by men with anger issues, we should be able to notice their patterns. That way, we can help them before they do things they might later regret.
“This role was also about winning souls because I got to teach people about questionable behaviour.
“The role of Dr Skhumbuzo was difficult because he was a smoker while I’m not, but I had to smoke to make the character more convincing. It took me out of my comfort zone,” said Matlala.
In 2021, Matlala released the single, Uyithetha Into Yenzeke. It earned a nomination for best praise song at the Crown Gospel Awards last year.
“I released the song after my traditional wedding in 2019. It is a testimonial track because God’s promises are ‘yes’ and ‘amen’. Whatever God says He’ll do, He does it,” he said.
Matlala is working on a new role with eTV but can’t disclose much. He is also working on an album for release later in the year.
“If all goes well, it will be a live recording when I release it,” he said.
For bookings, contact Matlala on tumelomusic@gmail.com
