He is considered to be South African TV and stage royalty, and now Siyabonga Twala will be gracing the silver screen again in a new show, Empini.
He is a fan favourite and so the news of him leading the cast of the show based on the goings on of the private VIP security industry, is a treat for viewers.
Siyabonga (55) plays Khaya Bhodoza, a prominent businessman and political stalwart.
For Siyabonga, this show is not just entertainment, but is testament to the great things that can happen when people in the entertainment industry work together.
“From the cast to the crew, each and every person on set has shown so much passion and drive in ensuring that Empini is viewed as a production of a high quality. It is a project that I pride myself on being a part of.”
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He says he excited for viewers to see what they have put together.
“I've played many roles in my career, but I am particularly excited about my role in Empini as it will showcase the many facets of myself as a performer. This role has stretched me tremendously, mentally and physically.”
He previously told Drum his love for story telling comes from grandmother.
“I would lay beside her bed and visualize all the characters that formed part of her story.”
Home was Umlazi in KZN, but during school holidays he spent a lot of time with Gogo Getrude, MaNkukhu, emakhaya.
“It was as if those people came alive from her stories, and she loved laughing at her own stories. I was very close to uGogo,” he says fondly.
Furthering his interest in the arts was the novel by Sibusiso Nyembezi which was later turned into a TV series called, Inkensela yase Mgungundlovu.
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Depending on which generation you come from, you will remember him from the show that piqued your interest at that time. Some know him as Vusi Zwane on Scandal!, Musa on Intersexions, Paul Mashaba on Generations or Mpiyakhe on Isibaya.
He’s played some of the most ruthless businessmen in television history, his name commands respect but the way he sees it, he’s just a guy who gets to play other people.
“I just play characters. I get to play different people and that’s all. I do not see myself in any other light.”
Empini starts streaming on Showmax from 23 May. It is a 52-episode series that is a high-stakes, action-packed drama.
The rest of the cast list has not been announced yet, and Showmax promises it will “wow” the audience.
