Shaka Khoza has been the talk of town since the debut episode of Mzansi Magic’s ‘The QueenMzansi ’and we suspect Qaphela Ngwenya will be too as soon as we get a deeper look into his character on ‘Isibaya’.We can’t be the only one who sees the similarities in the characters played by real life brothers Shaka and Abdul Khoza respectively.
If I described the character each brother plays as the oldest, hot-headed, gun-wielding, trigger happy (and incredibly gorgeous) son of a Zulu crime kingpin who would do ANYTHING to protect his family, would you be able to distinguish between Shaka and Qaphela?
The similarities in their characters are a first for the brothers though. They have managed to play a well-rounded set of roles in their careers thus far, avoiding the typecasting trap that most actors fall into. They attribute this to being very thoughtful about whatever projects they consider taking on.
“For me it starts with the story, if I strongly believe that it’s well written and really catches my interest, then I go for it. If I feel that the character I’m going to audition for is one I’ve played before, then I simply don’t go.” said SK.
Abdul on the other hand believes that his characters choose him as “every role is a calling of its own.”For me it’s always based on how much the script speaks to me and moves me. I believe that characters choose me I don’t choose the character.”
That approach probably stems from the fact that they’ve been doing this since they were kids! Even though we’ve only been watching them in mainstream media for a few years, the brothers were even acting back in 1999.
In addition to acting, the brothers also sing. Who knew?
I’ve always loved music and poetry and all forms of artistic verbal expression. I hope people will know me better and understand me more than to make assumptions about me through my acting roles. And my brother and I will be releasing a single together as well cause we both sing,” said Abdul.
He deviated from the path somewhat and became a fireman but he couldn’t shake the desire to act. It was then that he decided to enter the SABC 1 show, Class Act, which he later won and it was only then that he felt he could pursue acting full time.
