Ambassadors For Mamelodi Sundowns’ #SingWithSundowns Share Thoughts On The Football Club Celebrating 50 Years

Warren Masemola:

You’ve made an amazing impact in the entertainment industry, why be an ambassador for Mamelodi Sundowns?

Apart from being a proud Pretorian from Soshanguve, I grew up a fanatic since a match I watched at ODI Stadium when I was just 7 years old.

What does Mamelodi Sundowns celebrating 50 years mean to you?

Celebrating 50 years of Mamelodi Sundowns for me means a well-engineered dream can sustain itself for generations.

What is Sing With Sundowns all about?

#SingWithSundowns is a national competition that seeks to promote music in all the official languages of South Africa. Contestants enter a song that stands a chance to win R30,000.00 each month, between R100,000.00 to R600,000.00, or the R1million grand prize. The winner of the grand prize shall be announced at the end of the year Gala Banquet.

What is your advice for entrants?

 The song must refer to names or any new names associated with Mamelodi Sundowns, be creative. No songs will be accepted if they contain improper, disrespectful or defamatory language. Contestants must send songs to www.sundownsfc.com

Andile Ncube:

You’re an avid sports fan, what stands out for you about Mamelodi Sundowns?

Sundowns is the standard bearer for success and inspiration. More than anything, it is a supporter’s team, it’s always been, but now with a social conscience.

You’ve experienced both the sports and entertainment worlds, how does being an ambassador for Sing With Sundowns feel like?

Whenever one has an opportunity to give back or to assist and be a part of something bigger than themselves, seeing a career established and rise is always a fulfilling feeling.

50 years and Mamelodi Sundowns is still standing, what do you believe is the club’s winning formula?

It’s not only the consistent wins on the field but it’s the club’s identity and allegiance with supporters in South Africa and beyond. The president and the Motsepe family have opened the doors and made everyone feel welcome and like family.

What are you most excited about when it comes to the competition?

Like Sundowns does on the field when they unleash and introduce new talent like Percy Tau or with Miss Sundowns when they empower young woman like Zozi, I want to see a star! Someone writing a song and putting it together in their bedroom somewhere in South Africa and hearing it being played by thousands at stadiums across this nation.

Lamiez Holworthy:

You’re doing great in the entertainment space, how has your journey been like?

A roller coaster really. But for the most part, it’s been amazing. Got my big break when I was on the verge of giving up and seeing how God and my ancestors have made all my dreams come true, it leaves me in awe.

What do you believe you represent by being one of the Sing With Sundowns ambassadors?

Authenticity. I am proudly and authentically Pretorian. I wear that on my shoulders and I grew up supporting Sundowns. But most importantly because I am a DJ, I have an ear for music so choosing a great song will come easy for me.

What’s your favourite thing about Mamelodi Sundowns?

How it brings people from all walks of life together.

Lindiwe Dube:

You’ve been in the Sports industry for a while, why this route?

I grew up in Daveyton a township in Ekurhuleni. That’s where my love for the beautiful game started. My passion for the sport increased over the years and I wanted to be more than just a football fan. I was inspired by one of the leading ladies in sport like Carol Tshabalala, to take up space in a in a male dominated industry.

As an ambassador for Sing With Sundowns, what are you most hopeful for?

I’m a firm believer in opportunities & empowerment. The #SingWithSundowns campaign will change people’s lives. The music competition is open for all South Africans, men and women. By simply submitting their Mamelodi Sundowns themed song in a language of their choice, including Xu and Khwe, could walk away with a whopping R1 million. I’m really looking forward to seeing lives transform and dreams coming true through this amazing project.

How do you think Mamelodi Sundowns maintains consistency?

The club has always invested in the best players in the world, they have great structures, an amazing coach, a great technical team and more importantly, they have a bevy of fans who fully support them through thick and thin. In recent years, they’ve rewarded them with 9 PSL titles, a CAF champions league and a CAF super cup title, amongst many other other accolades.

50 years of the the club, has this impacted your career in any way?

50 years of Masandawana has produced several players such as Percy Tau, Keagan Dolly and Bongani Zungu who now play in some of the top leagues in Europe. The club has empowered people on and off the pitch. The current Miss Universe Zozibini Tunzi was a provincial finalist of the Miss Mamelodi Sundowns pageant, that just shows the brand is more than just about football.

 

Follow Mamelodi Sundowns!

Instagram: @sundownsfc

Twitter: @Masandawana

Facebook: @sundownsfc

Website: http://www.sundownsfc.co.za

 

-Bridgette Makhela 

Sisanda Henna On Acting, Film And What’s Coming Next

Sisanda Henna / 37 / Actor, Film & TV Creator & MC

Being an Actor and Film & TV Creator isn’t an easy career, did you always want this for yourself?

Yes, probably from the age of 14, that’s when I was a part of my first play, an inter house play where I won Best Supporting Actor at a school called Union High School, in the Eastern Cape…ever since then I’ve wanted this!

How does a typical day for you look like?

There is no typical day, some days I’m writing a proposal to pitch something and some days I’m exercising and meditating, then go and see my acting coach. Some days I go MC an event somewhere and some days I’ll go sit and read a script for a couple of hours in a day for a new project and maybe do some research through watching a lot of movies and series. Some days I’ll just take a taxi somewhere, like to Alex and back because I play real people, depending on the person I’m playing, I’ll go and be where those real people are – whether in a shebeen or a law firm. When I’m producing or directing, I could be in meetings were we’re working out budgets, or I could be spending an hour or two going through contracts, then at times I could be in a PR and Marketing workshop. Other days I’ll do a photo shoot. Sometimes I’ll go for a jog or a swim, all of that is part of creation – even the part where you’re resting.

That one thing you can’t survive without when on set would be?

I try to make sure that I am able to survive even without any of the things I enjoy…just like how at some point coffee used to be quite a thing for me. I like my space, and sometimes I’ve had to adjust to places where I sometimes didn’t have a trailer. My earphones are a thing too because if I cut out noise it helps me focus and I can mentally visualize things. Stretching and breathing are also things I do in my own space to help me get into the zone.

South Africa has some seriously talented actors, anyone you look up to for inspiration?

 There are two actors I respect incredibly: Andrew Buckland (some people may know him from Catching Feelings). I saw him in a play probably back in 1999 and he blew me away! I think he is one of the best theatre actors in the world right next to Rowan Atkinson and Jim Carrey, he really inspires me. Another one is Mcedisi Shabangu, saw him in 2005 in a play called Tshepang. I love going to theatre a lot, it really inspires me.

You’ve made a mark in the industry, what’s keeps you consistently creating work and being a part of it too?

I want it more than anything in the world, probably more than living and being alive. I want to make amazing work and that keeps me going, I’m determined to get it!

Favourite film/TV show you’ve been a part of to date?

It’s hard to pick, I’ve loved so many of them for different reasons. I really love ‘Agent’ which is coming to SABC 1 on Sunday nights at 20:30, it starts March 8^th. I’ve loved being a part of season 1 of ‘Trackers’ too, that’s coming to Mzansi Magic as well soon. I also loved being a part of ‘Gauteng Mabongeng’, although I worked on it as series producer and creative director.

What would you like the upcoming generation of actors and filmmakers to know?

It depends on what they want to know and do. There are so many different parts of the industry to go into these days, so it would depend on what they want…makes sense?

Any exciting projects you’d like to share for 2020?

I want to share 2 things: I am going to co-produce and star in a romantic comedy feature film, a big announcement’s about to made soon, it’s amazing! I’m also going to be in a new drama series that is going to be on MNet, although I can’t say much about that at the moment, but when the time comes I definitely want to share the news with you, B Kool Media!

Follow Sisanda!

Instagram: @sisanda_henna

Twitter: @SisandaHenna

Facebook: @SisandaHennaActor

–Bridgette Makhela