Actor makes cast in drama series
Banele Zulu (27) will play Jabu in 'Isiphetho: Destiny' which will be aired on etv from April 15 at 18:30.
Gamalakhe’s Banele Zulu still finds it hard to believe that he bagged a role in the soon-to-be-aired drama series, ‘Isiphetho: Destiny’.
Zulu was among thousands of hopefuls who auditioned at the Black Brain Pictures open-call auditions at the BAT Centre in Durban earlier this year.
The 27-year-old will play Jabu in the telenovela that will be aired on etv from April 15 at 18:30.
He said that when he received the news of the role on January 19, he thought it was a prank.
“I could not believe it when they called. I thought it was a prank at first until they asked me for my ID so they could book a flight for me from KwaZulu-Natal to Johannesburg, only to find that I was being called for a chemistry test, this is like a second audition. On February 17, they flew me back to Johannesburg to start shooting,” he said.
The former Gamalakhe Commercial School learner will be sharing the screen with celebrated actors such as Gugu Gumede, Linda Sokhulu, Mjosti Mbhele and Mbalenhle Mavimbela.
The executive producer at Black Brain Pictures, Mpumelelo Nhlapo, said they are confident that their new show will resonate with viewers of all ages, saying that their rich storytelling promises to take viewers on an unforgettable and heart-warming journey.
Meanwhile, Zulu explained that his passion for acting started when he was in Grade 11, saying that joining a community cultural group in 2016 (Thokoza) made him want to pursue performing arts.
“In 2018, I joined Emuhle All Artists which is based in Gamalakhe. This community group took my talent to the next level. I remember the biggest and most controversial script I ever got was when I was at Emuhle. We got to perform at the National Arts Festival in Grahamstown. That was my first breakthrough in theatre. As an actor, I was trained at Emuhle by Bongani Baai. Emuhle now has a programme called Art Africa Skills Development where artists are equipped with skills. This programme is aimed at producing disciplined artists,” said Zulu.
He added that his career goals include creating more films and doing more theatre plays.
Zulu said he will forever be grateful to Black Brain Pictures for discovering his talent and introducing him to the film industry.
“What Black Brain Pictures did for me Izandla zidlula ikhanda (I will forever be grateful). Kwande, benze nakwabanye (they must do to others what they did to me,” he said.
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