Skip to main content

Zolile Makeleni Traded Rugby For Filmaking And Acting

 

Written by Fred Farai Nyakudanga FFF 



Today August 12 is Zolile Makeleni’s birthday so Benjy Nyandoro posted Happy birthday in the same Jive WhatsApp group we are. I got curious to find out how Zolile chose to be a Filmaker and Actor. I got so interested to learn that with all the opportunities in rugby  Zolile Makeleni felt empty. This elicited me to put it on record.  Imagine with all the accolades Tendai Matawarira The Beast has earned from rugby Zollile traded the sport for Filmaking and Acting.




Zolile Makeleni is identifiable with his white hair do he usually adorns. He says Filmmaking and Acting started as a passion that was identifiable at College until his lecturer urged him to professionally consider it as his career. I personally first saw Zolile acting as Tsotsi in a local Soap Wenera.




His character really depicted a Tsotsi and little did I know one day we were going to interact. The way he and his father in the cast Humba (Conrad Mwanawashe) reveales unambiguously the real life in the ghetto. Meeting Zolile changed my perception I did not have to hide my wallet at all.  He is a down to earth character who actually is full of encouragement to upcoming artists.


Zolile is also a transformation speaker who loves story telling as well. I asked if he had achieved his ambition. His answer was convincing he is in control.


“I am still yet to achieve my ambition though l feel am in the right direction”.



Due to the prevailing pandemic caused by Covid 19, Zolile is celebrating his birthday at home. Usually Zolile spends time with the underprivileged on his birthday. Friends and some corporate world  partners have made sure he has some cakes to cut together with his family.








Comments

Popular posts from this blog

The Power of Family Influence

  Written by Fred Farai Nyakudanga The African proverb "charity begins at home" takes on a deeper meaning when we consider the profound impact of family on our lives. As I reflect on my own experiences, I realize that the values, beliefs, and behaviors we learn from our families shape us in ways that are both visible and invisible.   As a former restaurant manager, I noticed that people's behavior in public spaces was often a reflection of their home environment. Some patrons would leave the toilet spotless, while others would leave it in disarray. The effort we put into maintaining hygiene in our kitchens is often mirrored in our public behavior. This observation led me to realize that our family's influence extends far beyond our childhood years.   Our parents' behavior, expectations, and values are imprinted on us from a young age. We mimic their actions, adopt their beliefs, and internalize their criticisms. As we grow older, we begin to make choic...

Resilience: The Key to Navigating Life's Challenges

  Written by Fred Farai Nyakudanga (FFF)   Life's no paradise – resources are scarce, competition's tough, and adversity's constant. But it's how we respond that defines us. Resilience is the ability to bounce back, to sweep away trouble and hold firm to gains. I once had a business in my 20s that did well in the short run, but when I sought support from a wealthy relative to expand, I was labelled lazy. I fought back, true to their word I became unpopular. Later, I realised people look at what you've achieved, not what you promise. I refocused, sought trusted support, and bounced back – refuting allegations of laziness. Each challenge's a battle; each win builds confidence. You don't start winning big battles, but small wins accumulate. Employers seek elasticity; vision falls on resilient people. As I was ridiculed and falsely accused, I gained favour with people in good time. Adversity may conquer, but bouncing back is resilience. Life's short. Elastic...

Unavailability Of An Official Music Distribution System Depriving Upcoming Musicians.

Written by Fred Farai Nyakudanga FFF   Music is important to our lives, I personally would not function well if all the music in the world is quietened. Actually it’s naturally impossible to stop all music playing. Have you ever walked into a thick forest alone. An unknown bird will volunteer to entertain you. Maybe the ability to choose the music you prefer is what can be affected but otherwise music will always play,  no one can ever stop music. Singers and musicians get inspired by a lot of societal happenings, with the intention to inform, tell a story and entertain musicians reveal complicated issues that are not easily communicable in public. They make songs out of unpalatable subjects and mitigate their effects to the society in the process.  Oliver Mtukudzi sang Tozeza Baba. The song is a narration of children’s perception of their abusive father who beats up their mother. The children express how this vacuums out their happiness. Weather the song has been played ...