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.“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.”