Tag: Audience

Bonko Khoza On Playing Mqhele, Following His Passion And Upcoming Projects

Bonginkosi ‘Bonko’ Khoza / Actor & Voice-Over Artist

What sparked the love for acting?

I have always been into acting, since primary school I loved plays but never took it seriously. I went to art school and studied graphic design, I dreamt of being an overall visual artist. After 2 years of trying that, I dropped out to figure out my life. I asked myself if I was doing things because the status quo says so or if I was going to focus on what brings me joy. I decided that I wanted to do something I enjoy and would do for the rest of my life. So I took the decision to study Drama at The Market Theatre Laboratory.

You play ‘Mqhele’ on Showmax’s ‘The Wife’, how would you describe the character?

He is a complex character that is heavily bothered by demons in his head. He has unresolved childhood traumas that cause him to act and react in a certain way. Other than that, he is a sweet guy.

You are an extremely talented actor. How do you prepare yourself for a role?

My preparation starts at the audition level. I’ll read my script and research the character biography. I get to know the character and start looking at costumes and play scenes out. If I get the role, it’s a progression of building the character.

What would you change about the South African entertainment industry?

The industry doesn’t exist on its own, it doesn’t function without the audience. If anything, I would like to change the audience. I wish South Africa would open up access to more global content because it is part of a global market. The audience can then push the industry towards something different. The audience needs to start playing with their appetite and choosing different types of content.

That one moment in your career so far that you’ll never forget?

I spent a day with Benedict Cumberbatch in 2020. We did a scene together on a film called The Mauritanian. My scene was initially for his character. The casting director told me to keep pushing and keep my head up because it may be overwhelming. We did the scene in Cape Town and it dawned on me in that moment that he was just a colleague and I had to get it together. From that moment, we started talking and getting to know each other. That was a special time.

Is there anyone that you call your role model/inspiration?

Mahershala Ali, I love the way he handles his career and brand. He keeps it very much acting-centric even if he does work for brands. He has won two Oscars and I’m pretty sure when he’s not acting he’s probably spending time with his family and relaxing.

What is the importance of following your passion?

Life has a price to pay, you’re not here for free. The system will try and put you in a place where you are most comfortable. When you’re most comfortable, you’ve got nothing to complain about. But things like passion come from the inside, it is who you are, it’s an expression of your true self. Retrospection and bravery are important where passion is involved.

’13 Weeks To Find Mr Right’ is your upcoming project, are you working on other things at the moment?

I have already wrapped 13 Weeks To Find Mr Right. I have now started working on a Disney animation, I’m also shooting a Hollywood film and in talks with various directors but I can’t say much about that right now. Actively working on The Wife and voice overs.

Any advice for aspiring actors?

Study first, treat the art with respect and it will pay you back with longevity and substance. Put in the work and the time. Believe in your dreams, trust in God and don’t forget to pray.

Images by Asanele Shaun

Follow Bonko!

Instagram: @bonkokhoza

Twitter: @BonkoKhoza

Facebook: @bonkokhoza

–Bridgette Makhela

Una Rams On New Single Shy, The Crush EP And His Ultimate Dream

Una Rams / 24 / Pop Star

When did Una’s music career begin?

When I was born! I used to call myself Prince and I used to dance with a group of friends back home, it was a cool way to express myself. I made music from about grade 4/5, then in grade 9 I started releasing solo music. Every moment in my life has led up to who I am now.

Your recent drop, ‘Shy’, what’s the song all about?

Shy is a declaration of love, of feelings. It’s the perfect song to play for your crush, a song to tell someone you have feelings for them.

What can fans expect from your EP ‘Crush’?

So Shy was the lead single of off Crush. You can hear a beautiful blend of different genres under the umbrella of Afro Pop, a whole lot of that is going to be delivered on Crush. Crush is going to tell the tale of love, from meeting a person and wanting them to be in your life. There are beautiful bars on there, I’m throwing a lot of TshiVenda in there too and sampling a Venda legend, some collaborations as well. These are songs to add onto the soundtrack of your life, it’s a Sci-Fi rom com.

What does music mean to you?

Music is life, it’s a healing force. It’s therapeutic when I make it, and a bonding experience between friends. Music is a way to address many things and express who I am, it’s a global language. Music is just so much, it’s a force. It is also a platform to explore my dreams, it strengthens the idea that I can make something from nothing.

The most valuable thing you’ve learnt from being a South African artist?

Having patience. We’re still in an emerging market, we have to be aware of the inequalities we face. Kids in the rural places and townships access music differently in comparison to us in the cities. You want to reach out to the widest audience as much as possible, you have to know who is for you. When you’re doing something that is not a traditional genre, I’ve had to teach people about what I’m doing. As South Africans we stick to what we know but we also have a willingness to discover what we love. My brand is growing and it’s a blessing.

Does your upcoming album ‘Boyfriend Material’ have a release date yet?

Unfortunately not yet, I want to be in a different place in my life when I do release it. Still focusing on the single Crush, then I’ll focus on Boyfriend Material. It’s all about how after the honeymoon phase you learn about each other and put in the work. It’s going to explore the good and the bad of love and what relationships can do to people.

What has this year taught you as an artist?

Being able to wear different thinking hats. I’ll have a season of just creating carelessly then there comes a season where one should have a business element to their craft and their art. Seeing where you went wrong and trying to outdo yourself. I like to be still, look at myself and reassess who I am doing this for…me. I use my imagination and play around with cool ideas and collaboration. Music is also a platform for me to explore other avenues such as business prospects and investments I seek to grow. I am a multi-dimensional person who can express themselves in more than one way.

Your ultimate dream is?

To build a city, I feel that as Africans we haven’t built a city. We haven’t placed our identity on a platform like that. I have dreams in the tech space as well.

One artist you’d absolutely love to collaborate with?

I really want to be the guy that can do anything and to work with whoever I want to work with. I am very experimental in my approach. I actually want to be the guy that people want to collaborate with. I keep dreaming bigger and want to conquer many markets.

 

Follow Una Rams!

Instagram: @unarams

Twitter: @UnaRamsWeirdKid

Facebook: @unarams

 

-Bridgette Makhela 

T’neeya On Music, Joli, A New Album And Her Time In South Africa

T’neeya / Singer & Songwriter

Did music choose you?

100% and I’m so grateful it did! Wouldn’t have it any other way.

The best thing about your journey so far?

Meeting new people from different backgrounds and cultures, sharing my music with my audience, connecting with amazing artists and just overall getting better at my craft.

How would you describe the music you create?

It’s a blend of Afro Pop, Soul and R&B. I sing/rap in English, French and Pidgin.

Your song ‘Joli’ has been making noticeable waves, what’s the message in there?

It’s a feel good song. A nice uplifting blend of melodies you could easily vibe to in a bar, club or on the highway. In this record I’m talking to a “joli gars” which means pretty boy, basically expressing my feelings for him!

Your thoughts on African music in general?

Proud to be part of the movement, we have a lot to offer and it’s only UP from here!

What are the positives that you have experienced during this pandemic?

Taking some time for myself. Self-love has been eye opening!

How would you describe your time spent in South Africa?

Too short!!! I wish I stayed longer! I loved everything from the people to the culture to the street wear fashion! Can’t wait to go back!

Any new material you’re working on?

My first album, my baby!!! Can’t wait to share when the time is right. Stay tuned.

What would you tell aspiring female artists?

This is what I would advise any artist: Believe in yourself, surround yourself with the good people and never give up!

 

Follow T’neeya!

Instagram: @tneeya

Twitter: @tneeyaofficial

Facebook: @tneeya1

 

-Bridgette Makhela

Langa Mavuso On New Single, A Debut Album And Always Being Authentic

Langa Mavuso / 26 / Musician

Where did you grow up and how has that shaped your music?

In the south of Johannesburg in a suburb called Meredale. I also spent a lot of time in Diepkloof, Soweto at my grandmother’s house on weekends and holidays. My music was influenced by the artists whose music my parents played while growing up, people like Ringo Madlingozi and Caiphus Semenya were constantly playing on the Hi-Fi at home. I also grew up listening to a lot of Neo-Soul and RnB.

You’ve just released your first single ‘Love Lost’ that’ll be on your debut album, what’s the message there?

The song came from a place finding closure. After the tragic death of my first love, I was constantly seeking healing from that grief. In this song I finally find that closure, I revisit the night of their passing and remember the good memories from our time together. The album explores a heartbreak and seeking closure from it, ‘Love Lost’ is the moment of acceptance and closure.

What can your fans expect from your album?

The album has been my labour of love for the past two years. I worked with some incredible producers who’ve created music for artists such as Beyonce, Ami Faku, Mahalia and many others. I talk about a heartbreak in the album; the loss of love, losing myself after love and finally putting up a mirror to myself to reconnect and find a love of self from within. I have the pleasure of featuring my friends Zoe Modiga and Manana and two other surprise artists. The album truly is as Ms Judith Sephuma would sing, ‘A Cry, A Smile and A Dance’.

You’ve been in the industry for a few years, something important you’ve observed?

It is important to be yourself. The best thing you can do is be authentic.

When did your love for music begin?

Sitting in the back of a hall in Orlando listening to my parents rehearse for choral competitions.

Where do you miss traveling to the most for a performance?

Cape Town. The audience literally sings the whole show for me there.

Singing or song writing, do you have a favourite?

Singing when I’m sad and writing when I need to reflect.

What inspires you to constantly create music?

Love and people.

Any other projects you’re working on?

Yes! But it’s a secret.

 

Follow Langa Mavuso!

Instagram: @langamav

Twitter: @LangaMav

Facebook: @langamav

 

-Bridgette Makhela

Mihlali Ndamase On Content, Influencing And Beauty In The Digital Era

Mihlali Ndamase / 22 / Certified Makeup Artist, Brand Strategist, Beauty Content Curator & Co-Founder of Siyasizana Foundation

Content: What does this word mean to you?

Documenting and sharing what brings fulfillment to you.

In this era of social media, how did you become a Digital Entrepreneur?

As my brand grew, I started to understand it’s value and the value it brought to the brands I collaborated with, that’s when I decided to turn content curating into a business.

You’ve made a big name for yourself within the beauty space through your YouTube channel, has this always been your passion?

Yes it has, I started watching Beauty YouTubers at age of 15. I drew a lot of inspiration from them when I finally decided to start my channel.

What does it mean to you to hold an Influencer label?

Being an Influencer means to have the ability to influence the purchase decision of others because of one’s authority, knowledge, position and relationship with their audience. Being regarded as one is honestly such an honour, especially when you work on such platforms, it benefits your business immensely because brands are then able to trust you with their product.

What does a typical day look like for you?

Every day is different, it honestly depends. Sometimes I wake up, go to the gym, come home and shower and begin filming or shooting content. Other days I have shoots in studio or outdoors, depending on who I am shooting for and what the style of the shoot is, then there are meetings in between. Some days are purely for relaxation and unwinding. I either spend them at home alone, or out with friends or family.

You’re the co-founder of Siyasizana Foundation, what is it all about?

Siyasizana Foundation is a non-profit organisation which was founded by myself and Dineo Nono in 2017. We focus on addressing various needs in society, our projects consist of assisting everyone. We have worked closely with Thusong Youth Centre in Alexandra by throwing annual Christmas parties for the children, feeding them and supplying them with uniforms, clothes and blankets for the Winter season. We have also done baby drives (where we supply homes which house abandoned babies with food and clothing), pad drives, Winter clothing drives and book drives. We aim to grow and continue to empower men and women in our community and some day across South Africa.

Congratulations on winning the Cosmopolitan ‘Influencer of the Year Sparkle Award’, some advice to young ladies that look up to you?

Be very persistent in following your dreams, don’t let anybody tell you otherwise because your dreams are valid.

Pick one: Travel or Fashion?

Surely picking one should be illegal! I would have to go with travel.

Any exciting projects you’re working on for the rest of 2019?

More Masterclasses are to come, look out for ‘Beauty and The Beat’ in Durban, Cape Town and all over South Africa. I am also working on some exciting products and there is more growth and expansion to come for the Mihlali brand, I can’t give away too much so keep a lookout!

 

Follow Mihlali!

Instagram: @mihlalii_n

Twitter: @mihlalii_n

Facebook: @MihlaliiNdamase

 

-Bridgette Makhela

Thabo & Thabiso On YoMzansi, Relevant Content And Social Media

Thabo Modiselle and Thabiso Modiselle / Content Creators at 5@2 Media & YoMzansi

Content is of the essence. How did YoMzansi begin?

YMZ began as a hobby at a time when we were messing around with computers and coding. And since we were attached to the entertainment industry, we figured we’d create our own blog which would talk about the latest news in entertainment, music and digital trends. This was back in 2008 and we named the blog 5@2 News Network. Then in 2010, we decided to re brand to YoMzansi and make it a solid passion project, because people were enjoying our content and wanted more. Today, YoMzansi is a platform that focuses on current pop culture and documenting it. We also curate our own original content through dope collaborations with different brands.

Describe a typical day at the office…

Weekdays we kick start the day at 8am, the plan is to keep our mornings very easy so we can achieve a lot more within those hours. The first hour we go through our To-Do list and figure out deadlines and the content list. Between that and midday, we’re on our laptops putting up content on the blog and social media, while getting on those morning calls and E-mailing potential clients and brands. At times we use some hours to put together proposals and share ideas with certain brands we’re keen on working with, so this is a team effort. Same morning we get package deliveries from brands that have booked editorials and shoots. Lunchtime we hit the drawing board together with the team to come up with killer ideas for editorial shoots. Once we have implemented the key ideas and plan, we spend most afternoon hours putting together the shoot at the studio. We try as much to stay away from meetings, unless it’s critical. We wrap up our day after receiving a bunch of invites to attend launches, events, press conferences, etc (not all of them pay). We then decide which ones would be great to attend, where it will be beneficial to network and get dope content.

You guys are twins, how does working together pan out?

It has honestly made things a bit smoother in terms of building and getting the work done, because we can multi-task. We have spent time together since day one, and have shared our passion since, so our work relationship has become a lot easier. But also, this comes with a lot of arguments because as much as we’re twins, our tastes differ, so at times when we have to put out a final product, you find that we have to choose what is best and it’s not always easy. But through the years we’ve managed to overcome challenges like that, because we share the same vision and our work ethic is on a thousand.

What’s the secret to always producing fresh, relevant and visually captivating content on your blog? 

When we started the blog, most times, the question was what type of content would we (personally) want to consume and read daily. From that, we started looking at trendy, fresh and youthful content that any millennial would enjoy and want to subscribe to. Picture it: when you’re hanging with your friends, what would you talk about? The ‘IT’ Fashion item everyone has, money, cars, music, the coolest restaurant in Melville and so forth. So it’s not really a secret but more of daily stuff that attracts millennials.

2019, what’s the goal?

Building and building. There is much to be done, but the focus for this year is content. We are expanding our current podcast #YMZTechTalk and want to launch two more and produce more video content focused on South African pop culture. We also plan on expanding our portfolio in terms of collaborating with different brands that appeal to our audience.

What do you think South African Bloggers, Influencers and Content Creators still need to figure out?

It’s definitely the ‘storytelling’ part, that’s the key thing, many Influencers new and old still think it’s about the massive following, trending and clout. Creators and Influencers need to focus on telling beautiful and honest stories about whatever subject/topic they are covering. We need more Creators who are reliable when it comes to their word and work. Remember all this has to come with an audience that relies on your word, and that easily makes you stand out. Also for the ‘longevity’ part, can a kid in the next 10 years reference your piece, work, review or photograph? Also, it’s important to ‘stay away’ from the cycle of doing what others are doing, the usual things. It will be so dope to see new Creators and Influencers coming into the industry with their own taste, impact, style and just authentic new cool.

Think we’ll ever see the end of social media?

As long as we have the internet, social media will never die. Besides the celebrity life, slay queens, etc, social media is about connecting people, communicating and sharing information, and you have to think about this ‘world wide’. These days people rely on social media for information, latest news, advice and so on. Platforms are always going to be there for people to access such. Social media has to be the biggest thing that has ever happened to the internet itself, we honestly don’t think that today the internet would be fun without the social media part of it (Twitter, YouTube, Facebook, Instagram).

What are you guys looking forward to the most this year?

What is important to us is taking a step closer to the big goal. So even if it’s just one step we take this year, that will be dope for us. We are on a journey of building a media network with YoMzansi, have our own digital network, TV shows and expanding the brand into a lifestyle.

What does YoMzansi do for the culture?

Currently, we’re focused on documenting all the important stories and events that are happening within the music, fashion, art, film and lifestyle industry. We also tell stories about individuals who are pushing the envelope within those categories. This is so that the upcoming generation can have an authentic and honest reference about what was going on 5 to 10 years ago. We’re in the digital era, they should be able to read that, watch it or stream.

 

Follow Thabo & Thabiso! 

Twitter: @ThaboThabiso

Instagram: @ThaboThabiso

Facebook: @ThaboThabiso Modiselle

 

–Bridgette Makhela

Naledi Sibisi On Content, The Throne And The Mobb

Naledi Sibisi / 26 / Editor-in-Chief at The Throne Agency

Content, what does this mean to you?

Quality, value, tact and reception. Beyond how you carry and pass on information, I think content (creation and marketing) has more to do with how much you captivate and keep your target audience. The people behind the content have to be in the know; research, be on top of trends, understand what is happening in their industries and address or influence their audience through that knowledge. I think that really great content has more to do with the audience than the creator or marketer in the end. Your audience is ultimately who keeps determining what content is and how it translates.

It took you how many years to get to this point?

In theory, eight years. In practice, I would say about three years.

The Throne & The Mobb are dope, give a synopsis…

They feed each other but they also stand alone. Both The Throne and The Mobb explore entertainment, fashion, art and culture in a South African context. The agencies study cultural insights and influencer relations in order to serve as a voice for the contemporary urban and creative landscape. Most importantly, they are 100% Black female owned – aiming to reshape and rethink the creative industry and dynamic for the generation coming on board in the future.

What’s an Influencer to you?

Someone who has the ability to affect how you think and feel about products or services and can ultimately control your purchase power as a result. It goes beyond the surface level and pretty pictures on social media. An influencer is someone who has built up a following based on who they are, what they know and has identified their niche. As a result, brands can use this knowledge and audience loyalty to collaborate with them for marketing purposes to achieve their specific objectives. Influencers are assets.

Writing, it’s either you have it or you don’t. Agree?

Yes and no. I think as with any creative field it’s part ‘gift’, part passion and equal parts practice. You have to constantly study and practice your craft as much as you are passionate about it. You can have a natural flair for writing but if you are not pushing yourself, studying other writers and researching, you don’t have it.

South African social media platforms that praise and promote females, do we have enough?

More than enough. We need to keep promoting and praising them more. Above that, we need to keep putting more women in influential positions and positions of power. The gatekeepers of said platforms are still predominantly male. Life is about balance, it needs to apply in quite simple and complex contexts.

They say the hustle never stops, do you ever stop working and just chill?

I think that when you love what you do, you become a workaholic by default. It’s always important to take time out. I make it a point to not check work related things after a certain point. If it’s urgent, it can find me at 5AM lol.

How would you want to change another person’s life through the work you do?

To keep being a source of inspiration or reference on a large scale. In the near future when I feel I have established myself, I’d definitely like to take a group under my wing; I suppose like a mentorship. I think that knowledge is best when it is shared. I want young people specifically to be able to enjoy the fruits of my labour and pass that on.

Where can everyone find your movement, handles?

Instagram: @thethronesa / @themobb_sa

Twitter: @TheThroneSA / @TheMobbSA

Website: www.thethrone.co.za / https://www.thethrone.co.za/the-mobb/

 

–Bridgette Makhela