INTERVIEW: Wandile Molebatsi

He’s an actor, producer, singer, he is one of south Africa’s most talented actors at the moment who is doing it big, having starred in literally every top show here in south Africa from intersexions, soul city, the wild and many more, he has also dominated in the big screen from top movies like skeem and E’lollipop to name a few. We had an interview with him and this is what he had to say..

1.       Tells us what made you decide to pursue a career in flim and television?

a.       I have always had an intense love for the Performing arts. Even from a young age my mother realized that I was way to ‘jajarcha’ to just stay at home. I love entertaining and I love being able to communicate an emotion through film and images.

2.       Do you remember you first ever audition, how old were you and what role was it for?

a.       I was sooo nervous it was for a role in a Movie called ‘Born Free: A New Adventure’ The lady doing the casting was soo cool. She basically  got me to run around and relax before the audition and at age 10years that made all the difference.

3.       You also appeared in one of my favorite music video tumi ft brickz, how was that shooting a music video and are we gonna see a collabo between you guys any time soon?

a.       It was amazing. It was the first time that I had shoot a music video with such a clear and definitive narrative structure. It was like a shooting a musical film. I think the Poet MC is one of the talented artist that we have in South Africa and I would love to do a colab. We will see what the future holds.

4.       Who inspired you to pursue a career in acting and who would you say are your favorite actors?

a.       I love the work that oBaba John Kani and Winston Nthonsa did with struggle theatre. I think for me they are my role models: they have used the art form to actually change lives. Their plays that they workshoped and created with Athol Fugard still play on stages around the world and they were part of the liberation effort to free out country. Those are two thespians that I am definitely inspired by.

5.       Which actors would you like work alongside in the near future?

a.       I would love to work with Atandwa Kani and Nathaniel Ramabulana. I have seen them both on stage and think they have an incredible power and command of the form and I would die to have a scene with these two young talents one day.

6.       You have played so many roles on tv and movies , which one would you say was the hardest one to play and why?

a.       I would definitely say that the role that I played in A Million Colours of Muntu Ndebele was definitely one of the hardest roles that I have had to play. The emotional reserves that Muntu has as a human being were a challenge to bring across in the film. His personal journey is an incredible one and I think that with out a doubt that was one of the hardest lives to capture on screen.

7.       Which role was fun to play and why?

a.       Vista in SKEEM was soo much fun to play. The crew and the actors were all staying on the set and it was incredible the bond that was developed during the shoot. It was so much fun to create the world of the EVERLAST RESORT and the respect and sense of team work was incredible to experience.

8.       What dream role would you like to play?

a.       I would love to play my uncle Goerge Ikanyeng Molebatsi one day on screen. He used to tell us the stories of what the used to do as the Transvaal Urban Machinery in the fight for democracy and the tales ring in my mind as an African James Bond Epic. I believe it’s a story that must be told and I would love to bring it to screen one day.

9.       What would you say is the worst part about being an actor?

a.       The “down” feeling after you wrap a film or Television series. Its always so wack having to say goodbye to all the people that you have become soo close with. You wish you could just shoot forever… LOL

1   What is your opinion on American actors being cast in South African productions?

a.       As a producer I understand why some overseas Film Studios insist on it: but its terrible. Especially because we have such varied and deep talent here in South Africa that can definitely do more justice to the roles.

1   Which character that you have played would you say is most like you?

a.       I think I am most like VISTA from Skeem.

   You currently producing something for mzansi magic, can you tells us more about the project?

a.       We are soo excited about REMIX. It’s the first ever Gospel Musical. The series follows the lives of a church choir as they try and compete in the Region Priase and workship Competition. We have some great cast and the series is directed by Scottnes Smith and Thabnag Moleya two young and brilliant directors. The music was procued by a top Producers Karabo and Ephraim and the series is looking amazing. Please check it out on Facebook.

. You also started a production company with your former wits classmates, how did that come about? And what productions  have you guys produced so far?

a.       We have done series for SABC “This Day in History” Tooth and Nails” “Lucky Numbers” “Ke Jive” REMIX with air later this year. And our big cinema explosion Hear ME Move.

1 What advice would you give to young people out there who are interested in following the same path as you?

a.       We are working on wrapping up the Post Production for REMIX and it looking amazing. We are going to holding auditions for our Dance Feature Film Hear ME Move soon and we are set to release to cinema in May 2014. Its going to be huge! Exciting times ahead and we are looking forward to the challenges.