Tag Archives: Actors

Tamika Interviews The Cast of ‘February 14th’

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Here’s something that’s on the circuit right now at The Artscape in Cape Town and promises to give you a great night of entertainment. 

- With the group of actors that director Jeremeo Le Cordeur has brought together, how can it not be!

Together they present on stage a  tale of what is:

“A love story, more or less”…

Gebruary 14th The Artscape

I go behind-the-scenes with some of the cast of February 14th and ask ten simple questions:

1. Why did you choose to do February 14th?

2. What is your role in the play?

3. How far from your character in reality is your character in the show?

4. What has been the biggest challenge for you in this role?

5. What would you say is the overriding message of the show?

6. How long did it take you to rehearse?

7. Do you believe in true love?

8. What was your last theatre role?

9. What’s in the pipeline for you?

10. Where can we find you if we fall in love?

Here’s what they had to say:

De Wet Nagel

De-Wet Nagel as “Andrew”

February 14th is a great story that fuses two things I love in the character I portray – acting and music. My character is the music teacher and I get to play on my guitar. I was approached to do this play because I am a musician as well as an actor. Incidentally, I’m actually also a music teacher and I’ve been teaching drum-kit and electric guitar for nearly ten years now. I currently teach at La Rochelle High School in Paarl. The biggest challenge about this role is to make this character as real as possible and to deal with the situation I’m placed in as someone from my position would. As a method actor one could always see it this way; that I’ve been researching this role for ten years. I know that love is not a word or a specific action but the decisions you make and the actions that follow. Love is a choice. We’ve been rehearsing virtually every day for the last two weeks with a few five to eight-hour run through sessions. It’s quite a process to get the right feel and energy among all of the characters that are being sculpted and to fuse their different stories into one cohesive telling of the same concept and the different forms thereof. Yes, undeniably, unequivocally, yes I believe in love! I believe I’ve found my true love. Recently I cast for the roll of “Fernando” in Cardenio currently showing… other than that I do mainly films and a lot of performing with bands and in pubs as a drummer or guitarist.

Find me on Facebook HERE.

Catch me on Twitter at: @MyDarkestDiary

Luke Tyler

Luke Tyler as “Daniel”

I’d been looking to do some theatre for a while, so when Jeremeo approached me I jumped at the opportunity – I’d heard a lot of great things about his previous shows. There are also a lot of really talented actors in the show so it is a privilege to be able to share the stage with them. I play “Daniel” who is an executive assistant trying hard to make his way up the corporate ladder. In terms of how far the character is from me in reality… well, we’re pretty different, but I can relate to his passion. I’d like to think that I’m as smart as he is, but I think he’d win at chess if we every had to play! Haha! The biggest challenge for me has been understanding the duality of Daniel’s mind… he tends to be a very analytic - ‘black and white’ sort of guy – but struggles with a part of him that is impulsive and tends to land him in a lot of grey areas. To me, the overriding message of the show is to appreciate the love you have and to make every day Valentines Day. Because yesterday is gone and tomorrow is never guaranteed. This being a series of vignettes, every group’s rehearsal times varied but for me it was probably about two months that I took to rehearse.

I absolutely believe in finding true love, but often it comes when you least expect it! My last theatre role was when I played “Barry Balding” in my tenth grade One Act Plays! So its been a while! Haha! It’s been a pretty busy ‘silly season’ for me so I may take a small break after this and then who knows? Maybe some more theatre!

Find me on Facebook HERE.

You can get in touch with me on Twitter at: @luketyler_

Clayton Evertson

Clayton Evertson as “Wayne”

I chose to do this play because I saw it as an opportunity to showcase love in a non-stereotypical way. I play an amateur boxer, called “Wayne”. Wayne is my extreme. My biggest challenge has been understanding Wayne’s thought processes with regards to him overcoming his obstacles and his psychological state of mind. For me the overriding message of this show is that love can be good, bad and unfortunate. I’ve been rehearsing since November 2012. Do I believe in finding true love? Definitely. Theatre saw me last when I played “Judas” in a play written by Peter Krummeck called Judas, betrayer or betrayed? In the pipeline for me right now is my one man play, Forgive the Devil, written by myself and directed by Abduragmaan Adams. It will premiere at the National Arts Festival in Grahamstown later this year. 

You can find me on Facebook HERE.

Richard Lothian

Richard Lothian as “Owen”

Being a romantic at heart I was intrigued by the idea of exploring the theme of love. I feel we all have our own version of what love is and I’m excited by the challenge of putting such an individual and universal theme onto stage. Also, I wanted the opportunity to share the stage with so many talented actors. I play “Owen”, an IT guy who is the definition of a hopeless romantic; naïve, innocent and ideological! My character and I share certain traits. If anything, I would say Owen is a younger, more naïve version of me. I am slightly more cynical whereas Owen is hopeful to a fault. Because we have such a big cast, the biggest challenge has been to get all of us into a room together to rehearse. For me the overriding message of the show is that love, whether fleeting or eternal, will shape you as a person. I’ve been rehearsing for about a month. I absolutely agree in finding true love in today’s world, but I think your chances of finding true love are directly affected by how much love you are willing to give. Before February 14th I was involved in a two-hander comedy called Cooked which debut at The Grahamstown National Arts Festival in 2012. After Febuary 14th, I’m involved in a production called An Absolute Turkey at Theatre On The Bay directed by Chris Weare, which also tackles the idea of love. 

Find me on Facebook HERE.

And On Twitter at: @RichardLothian

Jeremeo Le Cordeur

Director Jeremeo Le Cordeur as “Kyle”

Why not do a show focusing on love and all it’s tribulations? It’s never been done on stage. I’m writing, directing, producing and acting. I’m very much like the character “Kyle”  in the show. He represents that naive optimism that all young people have. The biggest challenge for me has been the vulnerability. I’m so used to playing strong characters. This is a first for me. For me, the overriding message of the show is to appreciate the love you have and make sure it’s the love you want and deserve. I’ve been rehearsing since November. I do believe in love in today’s world, and that it hits you when you least expect. My last theatre role was when I played “Neil” in Risk. In the pipeline for me at the moment is still juggling doing ZAnews and then prepping for the Grahamstown Festival. Also, I may have another show up my sleeve! 

Find the show on our Facebook page HERE.

Find us on Twitter at: @February_14th

Ambrose Uren

Ambrose Uren as “Justin”

I chose to do February 14th because I love the theme of the play and the character is fun to play as well. I play “Justin” – a delivery boy who is single and looking to hook up with someone on Valentines Day. The difference between myself and Justin is that he is way more assertive and confident with ladies! He’s cheeky, has no inhibitions and he’s a smooth talker. The biggest challenge for me in this role was getting that confidence to just walk up to a lady and say what’s on your mind. Justin does that with ease. For me, the message of the show is that love is not just for Valentines Day but for every other day as well. I’ve been rehearsing for three months. YES I do believe in true love :)  My last theatre role was in a dance production called This Little Light Of Mine. In the pipeline for me are some stand-up comedy gigs and I’m writing a show as well. 

You can get me on Facebook HERE.

And on Twitter at: @AmbroseUren.

Justin & Nadia

Be sure to catch it at The Artscape until 16 February.

Booking is at The Artscape Box Office and Computicket outlets.

February 14th Proudly brought to you by Vulture Productions. 

Vulture Productions

Check out the Artscape’s profile, and be sure to adjust the viewing settings to 1080p HD for the best quality

It’s not everyday you have lunch with Charlize.

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…. Ok so not exactly as in sitting at the same table, but you get the idea!

This time last week I went for a quiet piece of sush at Beluga here in Cape Town and while munching on my A-list salmon rose, I glanced over and happened to spot an A-list bloody movie star!

Here is said movie star:

20121123_142824Here is said reaction:

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Now I don’t know what you would do……… but I stared a while in absolute bewilderment………. then tucked into my Mojito and slipped out my Samsung!

Apparently I didn’t do a bad job as Sunday Times published the photograph I snapped while gulping down my delicious Cuban concoction.

Here is said photograph:

20121123_143442

Here is said newspaper article:

20121125_092137 (1)

I even scored my name in the byline and a bit of an interview in the write-up!

She did seem sweet and if anything a bit self-conscious.

Hats off to the whole of Beluga restaurant who really kept their cool while she downed her R8000 bottle of Taittinger Rose, we kept it together which I was very impressed with (no screaming fans or wild autograph hunters).

Anyway I’ve heard her mother Gerda (please note since they’ve converted to american the pronunciation is “GURDA”) is a bietjie hoity-toity.

Hmmm, well I can’t say if my daughter was one of the highest paid blockbuster hollywood movie stars I wouldn’t be the same.

Let’s be honest.

They’ve come a long way from Benoni.

- Love you gals!

Well anyway this post is nothing more than an unashamed punt at my award-winning paparazzi skills.

If you know where Gaga is when she comes to cape town, you know who to call.

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Tamika Interviews Clayton Evertson

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Living in the Mother City and working in the film industry, one knows only too well how short-lived a success in the acting sphere can be… before madly searching for the next “fix”.

Every now and then, life churns out a rarity… in this case, an actor who seems to be bathed in a golden hue of luck.

Opportunities seem to follow him wherever he goes, and as a result Clayton Evertson is one of the few actors I know who is consistently working.

- And not just ‘working’, but working in really decent roles that anyone would envy!

We meet up at Loading Bay in Cape Town, ready to order our coffees after a busy morning and start our interview!

Tamika: Where are you from originally?

Clayton: Born & bred in Cape Town!

Tamika: Where did you go to school?

Clayton: Muizenberg High.

Tamika: What did you do after school?

Clayton: I went straight to study acting at the New Africa Theatre Academy. I was there for a year. Then I auditioned for City Varsity for their first ever 3rd year course. Thankfully, I got in! It was a very competitive year and so worth it!

Tamika: What kind of training did you do for acting?

Clayton: That was my primary training and last year I went to New York to the Stella Adler Studio. That was a 10-week course. I learnt more there than everything I’ve ever done combined!

Tamika: Wow! So what would you say it is that you do primarily?

Clayton: I’m a full-time actor. I act for both film and theatre.

Tamika: Sounds awesome! Film wise, name some films you’ve done that were memorable for you. When were they, what what were they about and what was your role?

Clayton: Films I’ve done include The Scorpion King 2: Rise of a Warrior, Natalee Holloway, The League of Glory, Holby City, Hominid Erectus, Deathrace 2, Le Capitaine and Zulu. But one that’s really stood out for me was a short film that I did called Agter Die Berge. It was shot in 2009 and is still running on M-Net. I play the lead character “Mo”(short for Moses). It’s the story of a young man who is forced to leave Cape Town and in his time away he discovers who he is, but realizes you can’t run away from your past. It’s directed by Kyle Southgate and I will never forget it!

Tamika: Have you done any commercials? Name some of the best ones! :)

Clayton: Yes I’ve done a lot. The coolest one by far is for Castle Lite… I play the Castle Lite yetti! haha!

Tamika: Have you won any awards?

Clayton: Yes I have. I won “Best Actor” at the Stop Crime Drama Festival in Nyanga in 2005.

Tamika: What is the most recent job you’ve done?

Clayton: I’m busy with Zulu. I play a thug who is high on drugs. I am very proud that the whole of the Zulu cast are South Africans. The only foreigners are the leads Forest Whitaker and Orlando Bloom.

Tamika: What’s in the pipeline for you at the moment?

Clayton: Zulu, a music video for Auriol Hayes and I’m busy writing a one-man play called Forgive The Devil. It will show at The Grahamstown National Arts Festival in 2013. My director is Abdu Adams.

Tamika: Who is your agent?

Clayton: APM.

Tamika: Do you also model.

Clayton: No!

Tamika: What are your favourite South African films?

Clayton: Die ongelooflike avonture van Hanna Hoekom and Skeem.

Tamika: Where do you party?

Clayton: I don’t party. I just enjoy going out for supper.

Tamika: What’s in the boot of your car right now?

Clayton: Jackets!

Tamika: Do you have siblings?

Clayton: Yes. A sister and a laat lammetjie brother!

Tamika: What does your family do?

Clayton: My dad’s a teacher and my mom doesn’t work anymore.

Tamika: What is your health routine like?

Clayton: I do a lot of skipping at home. I used to go to gym but now I’ve bought all the equipment I need and I just workout at home.

Tamika: Where do you see yourself in ten years from now?

Clayton: I want to be one of the best actors in South Africa. But I don’t just want to do it for the sake of doing it.

Tamika: What’s one interesting thing about you that your followers don’t know?

Clayton: I drink a lot of Monster energy drink!

Tamika: Name a place you love.

Clayton: The Cederburg. It’s one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been to.

Tamika: Do you do any charity work?

Clayton: I don’t.

Tamika: What do you tell yourself when you walk out of an audition?

Clayton: A couple of cuss words and then I move on! Haha! I read somewhere that when you go for an audition, no one else has that role in that time but you. So that’s what I believe when I’m in there. I give it my all and then try to forget about it – but I’m human and I always think I could have done something differently!

Check him out on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/clayton.evertson?fref=ts

Tamika Interviews Ambrose Uren

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My next interviewee is no stranger to the spotlight.

An actor, a comedian, an MC and a dancer, he’s been very involved in South African television and many will also recognize him from his sold-out stand-up stints!

Meet Ambrose Uren.

Ambrose and I caught up at Sotano in Seapoint, where we began our interview over a hearty lunch!

Tamika: Where are you from originally?

Ambrose: Cape Town.

Tamika: Where did you go to school?

Ambrose: I was at three high schools! Garlandale High School, Graham College and Muizenberg High.

Tamika: What did you do after school?

Ambrose: There was an option for me to study animation. But after much deliberating, I decided to study acting for film at City Varsity. It was two years and I got my first acting gig after my second year.

Tamika: What kind of training did you do for acting?

Ambrose: That was the only training I did.

Tamika: What would you say it is that you do primarily?

Ambrose: I’m an actor. I like acting for TV. I’ve done two series already; Shooting Stars which was a build up to the Soccer World Cup 2010. That was on Etv a few years back. After that, I got another job in a TV series called Montana. That was around 2009 and it aired on SABC1. It was so well received that we just shot the second season last year. On the show I’m a breakdancer called ‘Denver’ who is part of a breakdancing crew. It’s all about being a dancer and being taken seriously and earning money.

Tamika: Sounds awesome! Film wise, name some films you’ve done that were memorable for you. When were they, what what were they about and what was your role?

Ambrose: Well I just finished shooting a memorable on. It’s called House Party 5. It’s a Warner Brothers film. In it I play an American character; ‘DJ Hard Cap’. I’m a lead role. I had to do accent training which was fantastic. I really enjoyed it. It all worked out pretty well; we shot here in Cape Town at the Cape Town Studios. Then another film I did which stands out in particular is a German film called Diamond Diver. I play a deck boy who mines diamonds from the ocean. It’s a German feature film which shot in Cape Town a while ago.

Tamika: Have you done any commercials? Name some of the best ones! :)

Ambrose: Yes I’ve done a lot. Highlights were Duracell, Coca-Cola, Panasonic and Samsung!

Tamika: Let’s talk about your comedy :)

Ambrose: Sure! My stand-up career hasn’t been that long. It started in April this year. I’ve been successful in that I’ve performed with some big names – Kurt Schoonraad and Nik Robinowitz being two of them! I also made the Top 4 of Goodhope FM’s Laughmaster Competition which was held at Jou Ma Se Comedy Club in May this year! That was great!

Tamika: What is the most recent job you’ve done.

Ambrose: House Party 5.

Tamika: What’s in the pipeline for you at the moment?

Ambrose: Next year I’m doing February 14th; a play at The Artscape here in Cape Town. I’ve also got a lot of stand-up planned in the months ahead. Other than that I’m casting for films and commercials! Oh yes, and breakdancing – my number one passion!

Tamika: Who is your agent?

Ambrose: APM.

Tamika: Do you also model.

Ambrose: No!

Tamika: What are your favourite South African films?

Ambrose: A Boy Called Twist and Tsotsi.

Tamika: Where do you party?

Ambrose: I don’t like big fancy venues. I like places like The Waiting Room in Longstreet.

Tamika: What’s in the boot of your car right now?

Ambrose: Argh! It’s like my cupboard at home! It’s completely packed and messy, I’m not even gonna lie!

Tamika: Haha! Do you have siblings?

Ambrose: Yes. Two younger sisters.

Tamika: What does your family do?

Ambrose: They are both priests.

Tamika: What is your health routine like?

Ambrose: My dancing is my training. Every day my crew trains in the Bonteheuwel Community Centre.

Tamika: Where do you see yourself in ten years from now?

Ambrose: I see myself as one of the most successful actors and comedians in South Africa.

Tamika: What’s one interesting thing about you that your followers don’t know?

Ambrose: I like driving around and just being alone. I can be driving to anywhere, I don’t mind. I just like the release.

Tamika: Name a place you love.

Ambrose: That would have to be Reunion Island! It’s gorgeous.

Tamika: Do you do any charity work?

Ambrose: Yes. This year I was part of a blanket giveaway for winter. I supported that. In the future I plan to get more involved in charity organizations.

Tamika: What do you tell yourself when you walk out of an audition?

Ambrose: “I’m hungry!” lol

If you want to follow him on Twitter, he goes by @AmbroseUren

You can also check him out on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ambrose.uren?fref=ts

Days Of Our Lives in South Africa!

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“Like sands through the hour glass, so are the days of our lives………………………”

Cue music!

Days of our Lives is a daytime soap opera broadcast on the NBC television network.

It’s one of the longest-running scripted television programs in the world, airing nearly every weekday in the United States since November 8, 1965.

- tvrage.com

This past week, three of the stars from the NBC hit soapie flew to South Africa for a two-city tour!

Galen Gering (Rafe), Drake Hogestyn (John) and  Arianne Zucker (Nicole) enjoyed the gorgeous welcome that was waiting for them here and toured the country promoting the show and really just celebrating a show which has been running on our screens for so long and which has a huge fan base here.

Here are some other faces you may recognize from the hit-soapie:

I was honoured to be invited to an exclusive cocktail evening where SABC 3 hosted the cast members at The Expresso Penthouse here in Cape Town, to celebrate the soapie that has for many years graced the small screen in South Africa.

…. And what a wonderful event it was!

SABC truly outdid themselves; the décor was stunning and the food was even better!

I couldn’t have asked for a better location for the evening, a stunning penthouse on a beautiful summer’s evening overlooking the city with views of the ocean and the dazzling ocean liner lights.

Magical.

There was a fabulous arrangement of champagne glasses upon arrival and guests were given a glass of Pierre Jourdain or a cosmo!

Well what can I say, I kept going back for more :P

with Drake Hogestyn a.k.a. John Black

with Drake Hogestyn a.k.a. John Black

with Arianne Zucker a.k.a. Nicole Walker

with Galen Gering a.k.a. Rafael “Rafe” Hernandez

with Galen Gering, Jo-ann Strauss and Janez Vermeiren

with Clayton Morar

with Clayton Morar

with Leigh-Anne Williams

with Risuna Mayimele

When speeches came around, MC Janez welcomed them officially and gave them each the mic to say a few words.

I was struck by the humility of all of them, especially of Drake Hogestyn a.k.a. John Black!

He is just so fun-loving, light-hearted and down-to-earth which was wonderful to see.

During his speech he said that the welcome they’ve received here in South Africa has been overwhelming and that they are very grateful.

He mentioned how when they go back to work today (Monday), they will be surrounded by the lights and the studios of NBC and they’ll just look at each other and smile.

To him, they share a secret; the secret of South Africa and their fantastic trip here.

He said that it’s been a magical and unforgettable experience that they’ll never forget.

To me personally, I think it’s crazy how with one plane ride they’ll be transported to another world.

It must be weird for them to come somewhere so far away and receive such a huge welcome, have such a fabulous time and then have to travel back to their reality, remembering all their fans here and the lifestyle that is “South Africa”!

Thank you SABC for a superb evening, I enjoyed every second!

You can follow SABC on Facebook HERE.

And you can find them on Twitter HERE.

Xxxx

Tamika Interviews Siv Ngesi

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My next interview is with an actor who can proudly say he has many talents and he’s not afraid to enjoy them, to share them and to use them to spread happiness and positivity to many in South Africa.

He’s certainly making a difference, one laugh at a time.

You can catch him right now on the big screen starring opposite Rob Van Vuuren in the new South African Comedy, Copposites.

In his career to date as an actor, comedian and MC, he’s rubbed shoulders with Morgan Freeman, he’s starred opposite Kiefer Sutherland, he’s performed for Nelson Mandela and he’s toured Asia with Les Misérables (and that’s just the tip of the iceberg!).

Having appeared in numerous well-known films, TV series and commercials, including as a lead role in SABC’s Khululeka and Mnet’s League of Glory, he also travels around the country as an MC for corporate and private events as well as for motivational speaking.

His award-winning one-man comedy show, Dekaf, took the Golden Ovation Award for “Best Comedy” at the 2010 Grahamstown National Arts Festival and has been touring sold-out shows ever since.

His latest comedy show, Racecard, has just finished a run at the acclaimed Baxter Theatre in Cape Town.

It received praised reviews admiring the dynamic performer who was named by Mail & Guardian to be among the “Top 200 Young South Africans” in 2011.

Among the admirers was Hellen Zille herself, who even tweeted about the show after she watched!

Siv and I caught up at Royale Eatery where we began our interview over one of their delicious burgers!

Tamika: Where are you from originally?

Siv: Cape Town. I was born in Gugulethu, I then moved to Langa and eventually to Pinelands when I was nine. I grew up there and I moved out a few years ago.

Tamika: Where did you go to school?

Siv: Pinelands High.

Tamika: What did you do after school?

Siv: I worked at Kayos Casting for a while and did a lot of work behind the camera – writing briefs, answering phones, working in studio etc. I then traveled around America for a year and a half doing odd jobs. I traveled to New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Washington and many more places.

Tamika: What kind of training did you do for acting?

Siv: I have no training.

Tamika: What would you say it is that you do primarily?

Siv: I am an actor. Comedy is my waitressing job. I do comedy because it reaches many people, it pays well and it’s instant gratification.

Tamika: Name some films you’ve done that were memorable for you. When were they, what what were they about and what was your role?

Siv: I would have to say Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom was an unforgettable experience for me. It shot this year in Cape Town and Johannesburg. It’s a film about Mandela’s life. I play his lead bodyguard. Then there’s Strikeback, which came to shoot in South Africa for its third season of ten episodes. It’s an American Action | Drama | Thriller TV series about the actions of “Section 20″, a secretive unit of the British Secret Intelligence Service. A team of spies conduct several high risk missions throughout the globe. I play a Zimbabwean CIA agent. That was definitely memorable one for me.

Tamika: What did you enjoy most about playing opposite Kiefer Sutherland and Jon Voight in the movie version of 24?

Siv: I really enjoyed the professionalism of the set. It’s an international production and they give you the respect and freedom on set to do what you want with your character. They believe that “if we cast you, you’re good enough.”

Tamika: Have you done any commercials? Name some of the best ones! :)

Siv: Yes I’ve done a lot. Probably the one that stands out is the one I shot for Castle Lite last year. They flew us to London to shoot.

Tamika: How was being on the set of Invictus, starring Morgan Freeman?

Siv: Unbelievable. I didn’t get the bigger roles that I initially auditioned for on account of me simply being too young, but I didn’t care. Just being there, getting that experience and being on a set like that was so so worth it!

Tamika: And how was being on the set of Copposites, out now at Nu Metro?

Siv: Rob and I get along very well, he’s a good friend of mine. As cliché as it sounds, it was a really good time! It was an ego-less set, which is key when you have two strong personalities together on set.

Tamika: You do a great deal of MC work. What jobs stand out for you?

Siv: I do a lot of corporates which stand out. I’m doing a job for Cyril Ramaphosa for his birthday which is coming up. I’ll be doing comedy and MC’ing at that. I’ve done a job recently for The Nelson Mandela Foundation which was fantastic and was a highlight for me. I did comedy and motivational speaking at that. And then a cool one I got a few months ago was for Kulula Airlines. I was actually MC’ing on an aeroplane in the sky! It was to mark the launch of a new plane.

Tamika: You performed for Nelson Mandela at his birthday party in 1996 when you were ten! What did you do exactly, who were you with and what was it like?

Siv: It was awesome! I was touring with Les Misérables at the time and he requested to see me when I was back in South Africa. I wrote a song for him which I sang with my sister :)

Tamika: I understand you’re also invited to be a guest speaker at schools? How is that for you; what message do you give to the kids?

Siv: I love doing it. I prefer doing it to comedy. If I could drop comedy I would. I’ve been to schools all over the country; I’ve done Kingswood College in Grahamstown, Rondebosch Boys’ here in Cape Town and many township schools, to name a few. I believe that there’s no point having a talent if you don’t share it. I share life lessons I’ve learnt with the students.

Tamika: You’ve been praised in the New York Post and you’ve even been talked about on the Conan O’Brien Show! What did you think when you heard that?

Siv: I was excited. Conan had watched 24 and he enjoyed my performance.

Tamika: Have you won any awards?

Siv: I won “Best Newcomer” in Les Misérables. I won “Best Comedy Show” at The Grahamstown National Arts Festival and I’ve won a few comedy awards.

Tamika: What is the most recent job you’ve done.

Siv: I just shot a movie as part of the 48-Hour Film Project Competition.

It invites filmmakers from around the world to produce a complete short movie in just two days.

- http://www.48hourfilm.com/

The film will be screened at The Labia Theatre here in Cape Town on November 11th. It’s called Beacon of Hope and it’s about a man who spends his whole life in a lighthouse. He sees a girl one day on the rocks and falls in love with her.

Tamika: What’s in the pipeline for you at the moment?

Siv: I’m doing a national tour of my comedy show Racecard. And then I will be doing a one-man play which Mike van Graan is writing for me. In the meantime I am waiting to hear back from films that I recently auditioned for. There is also a television show I will be shooting next year in the pipeline, but I can’t say any more about that.

Tamika: Who is your agent?

Siv: Samantha Bernhardi in Cape Town and Moonyeenn Lee in Johannesburg.

Tamika: Do you also model.

Siv: No. I would rather die.

Tamika: What are your favourite South African films?

Siv: Otello Burning, e’Lollipop and Skoonheid. 

Tamika: Where do you party?

Siv: I don’t party. I’ve outgrown that. If it’s an event, I’ll go.

Tamika: What’s in the boot of your car right now?

Siv: Posters, flyers, banners, squash rackets, clothing – it’s packed!

Tamika: Do you have siblings?

Siv: Yes, two older sisters and a foster brother.

Tamika: What does your family do?

Siv: My dad passed away when I was young and my mom is a retired school principal. She is now a professional member of the Siv fan club!

Tamika: Haha! And tell me, what is your health routine like?

Siv: I hate gyming. I do it when I need do, that goes for dieting too. I will do them when I have a shoot coming up. For instance, I’m shooting the Marie Claire nude edition in a few weeks.

Tamika: Where do you see yourself in ten years from now?

Siv: Creating a lot of work for myself and others. I want to carry on doing what I love. I want to be the most successful actor South Africa has ever seen. I would have stopped comedy by then. And I would have bought my mom a house and a car.

Tamika: What’s one interesting thing about you that your followers don’t know?

Siv: I’m quite a social loner. I love being with myself as much as I love being with other people.

Tamika: Name a place you love.

Siv: My bedroom.

Tamika: Do you do any charity work?

Siv: Yes. I have a Foundation called Siv Gives Back. I sponsor kids, I donate stuff to the Red Cross Hospital. I also donate my work as charity – 20% of my time is charity. I do a lot of free comedy, MC’ing and acting  (fundraisers, certain events, student film projects and so on) – my philosophy is “why have a talent if you can’t share it?” And one day I’ll change the world.

Tamika: What do you tell yourself when you walk out of an audition?

Siv: “Forget about it.” And also; “If they don’t give you the job then it’s their mistake.”

If you want to follow him on Twitter, he goes by @iamSivN

You can also check him out on Facebook on his official Facebook Page.

Xxxx

Cameron Van Der Burgh in The Bay!

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Recently I had the honour of meeting South African Olympic gold medalist, Cameron Van Der Burgh.

He flew to Port Elizabeth to give a talk at a corporate breakfast at The Granary in Stanley Street.

What struck me most about him as he spoke us through his vigorous training routine leading up to the Olympics was his humility.

He seemed very down to earth as he explained his typical schedule for a day in preparation for his life-altering race.

Let me put it to you simply – a lot of training in the pool and in the gym, as well as meetings with his physios and a lot of studying towards his degree through UNISA each day.

He trains with Dirk Lange and is based in Pretoria.

Talking about his history, he elaborated on some of his highlights; he’s won numerous World Championship medals since his debut in 2007 when he took a bronze medal. His first world long-course record (27.06s) was obtained in the 50 m breaststroke in the semifinals at South African nationals in April 2009. He won the 50m breaststroke at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in a time of 27.18 seconds – a new games record – and the 100m world title at the 2010 short course world championships.

He’s represented South Africa at the 2008 Summer Olympics and, most recently, at the 2012 Summer Olympics where he won the gold medal at the 100 meter breaststroke in a new world record of 58.46 seconds!

He’s won the FINA overall World Cup twice.

He certainly seemed very chuffed with his successes but still had a nice sense of humour and was able to laugh at himself easily, which was great to see.

On Twitter he describes himself as “Olympic Champion and self proclaimed Fifa king ;) ” – Follow him at https://twitter.com/Cameronvdburgh

I didn’t know he was born in 1988, making him the same age as me!

Check out his website at: http://www.cameronvanderburgh.com

It was a fantastic morning with a continental breakfast buffet available to all the guests afterwards.

I was also very happy to see I got some coverage with him in the October issue of the ‘Sport Elizabeth’ sports publication!

Another thrilling experience I had recently was the release of a music video I am in!

It’s the video for the song ‘Hold On’ by popular South African band Mac Stanley, previously known as Flat Stanley.

It was a huge honour for me to do this video – I play ‘Sleeping Beauty’ and I come in toward the end of the video when my prince charming finds me after searching through a forest and we share a very long on-screen kiss! :P

I absolutely love the song and its message is very beautiful!

The video has already had close to 1000 views on YouTube after being out for just 2 weeks!

Watch this space – This band is going places!!

Check out the band’s website: http://www.macstanley.com/

TAMIKA INTERVIEWS GRANT ROSS

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Arriving at Seapoint’s very cosmopolitan little café, Giovanni’s, I am met with the confident and good-looking smile of local actor and personal trainer, Grant Ross.

Fresh from his trip to India for an acting job, the newlywed looks the perfect picture of health, wealth & happiness!

We order our cappuccinos and I begin my interview:

Tamika: So we are both from PE! Where did you go to school there?

Grant: Yip, that’s correct! I went to Alex.

Tamika: And when you left school, what did you do? Did you come straight to Cape Town?

Grant: Yes. I studied my degree in Live Performance at AFDA and found myself doing a lot of modelling on the side! Acting is my passion, so after my degree I enrolled in some courses to hone my craft. I did classes through my previous acting agent, Samantha Bernhardi, and I also did Bjorn Steinbach’s course in the Meisner technique. I took his classes for a year.

Tamika: Brilliant! So that was your training for acting?

Grant: Yes.

Tamika: What would you say it is that you do primarily?

Grant: Acting for film. But I love all forms of acting. Currently I’ve been getting a lot of work in creature performing. I’m also a personal trainer at the Virgin Active gym in Greenpoint. I did modelling also for many years but put that on hold. Now I’m slowly getting back into it.

Tamika: What are some of your most memorable roles?

Grant: A Portugese TV series that I did. I played a South African cop. That was shot in 2008 here in Cape Town. It was called Despertar. I also love my ‘creature performing’, which is actually what the job I did up in India entailed. Think ‘Gollum’ in Lord of the Rings! A documentary I was involved in a while back also stands out for me. It was shot in 2007 here in Cape Town. It was called The Sinking of the Lusitania. I played a British TV reporter.

Gollum from Lord of the Rings

Tamika: Have you done any commercials?

Grant: Yes I have. Coca-Cola, Spur, T-Com & Tiger beer stand out.

Tamika: Have you won any awards?

Grant: Yeah sure, at school I was nominated with my colours for drama, at AFDA I was the only actor nominated for the Dean’s list in my 3rd year. I was nominated for ‘Best Supporting actor in a 3rd year film’ whilst only in 2nd year and won the award for best play in 2nd year, where i played 3 characters in a single play. I was also nominated as ‘Best Presenter’ in South Africa for the KTV Yamaha Young Talent Presenter Search a few years back.

Tamika: What’s in the pipeline for you at the moment?

Grant: Well I have the premier in Durban for the Bollywood Film Action Entertainment I was just recently in. I did creature acting in that – I played an Animatronic Gorilla! I’ve also written my own short film as well as been approached to star in 2 other scripts currently under development. And, of course, personal training takes up a lot of my time.

Tamika: Who is your agent?

Grant: Paula Pursch.

Tamika: Do you also model?

Grant: I did model but I realised that I was working more as an actor and therefore wanted to focus more of my time on the one thing that I am more passionate about – acting. I will be looking into it again in the near future.

Tamika: What are your favourite South African films?

Grant: The Gods Must Be Crazy, There’s a Zulu On My Stoep, Mr Bones, Tsotsi, Faith like Potatoes, District 9, Invictus.

Tamika: Where do you party, usually?

Grant: To be totally honest, I’m all partied out. I started quite young – having an older brother and sister – so I’ve pretty much done it all and experienced all that nightlife has to offer. Don’t get me wrong though, I love a good jam when I get the chance to. There’s nothing better than to let your hair down and jam to one of Avicci’s tracks – that man is a legend! But I have definitely become somewhat of a chilled out person, so where I used to party hard, I now enjoy watching a great movie, writing scripts, reading a good book and focusing on how I can gain more knowledge to push myself further into reaching my goals. I really enjoy my sleep now hey, I mean seriously! It’s like just thinking of going out jolling after working so hard just doesn’t sit well with me. I know I sound like such a bore…. it’s just, well, time is precious and I’d like to use it wisely. Getting my sleep in gets me prepared for a productive day ahead!

Tamika: What’s in the boot of your car right now?

Grant: oh, um…bags, clothes and training gear. There’s also boxing gloves, skipping ropes and a gear lock - cant be too careful hey :)

Tamika: Do you have siblings?

Grant: Yes I do. I have a sister in London and a brother in Cape Town.

Tamika: What does your family do?

Grant: My brother Craig is a sound engineer and my sister works as an assistant for Corporate and Investment Bankers in the UK. My mother is now the underwriting manager of Mutual and Federal in Port Elizabeth. My father, Ronnie Ross, who is not with us anymore was a man of many talents. He was an actor, singer, TV presenter, radio presenter, rally car driver and a business man. Where my mother was an actress, dancer and a singer.

Tamika: What is your health routine like?

Grant: I’m a health fanatic, period. I love exercise and I am very careful with what I eat. I usually train 5 – 7 times per week, this involves weight training and high intense and low intense cardiovascular workouts such as swimming, running, and hiking. I follow a strict eating plan during the week and on weekends I let myself go a little so as to enjoy what life has to offer. I find that a healthy balance is very important in life.

Tamika: Where do you see yourself in ten years from now?

Grant: To be honest, I would love to see myself working consistently in my industry, where I do not have to worry about where the next paycheck is coming from. I would love to be working in my own country as an actor and seeing the industry and culture grow  alot bigger. I would also love to have a family with 2 kids and travel the world giving them what I was not fortunate enough to have as a child.

Tamika: What is something interesting about you that your followers don’t know?

Grant: God is the center of everything in my world. I draw my strength from Him. Also… I’m afraid of the dark and I’ve never eaten a tomato in my life! I love kids and I am addicted to computer games. I built my first computer at 14. I know…GEEK!

Tamika: Haha! Name a place you love.

Grant: I have only ever been to London and India and India takes the cake. It’s amazing to see how different their culture is. The food is out of this world and there is such a variety of dishes. Their film culture is also massive! They are shooting 300 full length features a year, which means that there is so much work for actors that side. Even though they are so poverty stricken, they are a country that is still so happy.

Tamika: Do you do any charity work?

Grant: I serve my community in a leadership position at a church in Sea Point called Life Church. We hold a youth games evening every Friday night for youth between the ages of 14 and 18 years old, where  we open our doors to any youth in the area no matter who it is and no matter how broken they are. We play games such as Xbox, table tennis, snooker and just really connect to build relationships so we are able to to speak into these kids’ lives and set them up on the correct path. Our aim is to keep them on the right track and off of the streets. So many of our youth today are  homeless, or without a father and/or mother. This often causes them to feel unloved… pushing them in the direction of gangs, drugs, alcohol and crime.  Our mission is to show them love and help them to understand that they are worth something and worthy of greater things by empowering them through the Gospel of Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour.

Tamika: What do you tell yourself when you walk out of an audition?

Grant: “You gave it your best, it’s not up to you anymore.” I don’t like to sit and think about it; I move forward and remain positive.

If you want to follow him on Twitter, he goes by @GrantRMross

You can also check him out on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Grant-RM-Ross/129728607119416

Xxxx

Tamika Interviews Stephen Friedman

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He’s an entrepreneur in the television industry, a model, a presenter and an award-winning surfer.

My next interviewee has his own travel show, his own radio show and a string of achievements in the modelling, television and surfing worlds.

You may remember him as being voted one of COSMO’s “Hottest Men Alive” or perhaps from when he was voted as CLEO Magazine’s “Second-Most Eligible Bachelor in South Africa”.

The Blueprint Travel Show was his brainchild whilst modelling in Cape Town when he saw a niche in the market for a series that shows the culture of places.

Since then, the 25-year-old has been a jetsetter around the globe as well as through life as he follows his motto of “Find Your Adventure”.

I met up with him at The Grand Beach Cafe to find out more.

Tamika: So where are you from originally?

Stephen: Proud to say I’m from Durban.

Tamika: Where did you go to school?

Stephen: Crawford College. I hated school. I learnt more from travelling than from what I learnt in school. It’s a sensitive topic, don’t get me started.

Tamika: What did you do after school?

Stephen: I was competing in the World Surf Tour for several years, travelling around the world since the age of sixteen. Mr Price was one of my main sponsors and due to my contract with them, they made me the face of the Red Surf brand. Cleo Magazine soon got hold of my team manager and one thing lead to another and I was a centrefold in their October issue back in 2007. A month after I did the Cleo magazine shoot, Cosmopolitan Magazine got hold of me. Before I knew it, I was on a flight to Johannesburg to shoot for their 2008 calendar. I started to get a lot of media attention and exposure outside of the surf industry, in all forms: Radio, TV and Print. Boss Models kept on phoning and emailing me, saying I should utilize all this exposure and move to Cape Town so that they could manage me and my career. At the time I was planning on going to Hawaii for the winter surf season but my gut told me that I should take a chance, so I moved to Cape Town. You can read my whole bio on my website if you want to read up more about me -  www.stephenfriedman.weebly.com.

Tamika: What kind of training did you do for acting, if any?

Stephen: I did drama at school. It was fun, but I didn’t take it too seriously.

Tamika: What would you say it is that you do primarily?

Stephen: I have been busy with my TV show; it’s called The Blueprint Travel Show. It has taken me over two years to grow it and build it up from just an idea I wrote in my little black book. To be honest, it has been such an up and down hill experience where I have had to make a lot of sacrifices and decisions based on what my gut tells me and what’s best for the show. Because of this, we have sold the show internationally and locally – you’ll be hearing about it a lot in the media during the course of this year. I have an amazing team behind me now.

My executive producers are Damien Brown, Mohube Ropodile, Jonathan Zager and Rick Leed. Jonathan and Rick are based in Los Angeles, California, and their CVs alone make me know I’m in safe hands. They’ve produced television shows like Home Improvement, Dr 90210 and well-known movies, such as the film What a Woman Want. I’m actually off to LA soon to go and get ready to start shooting the show again. We have already shot a few episodes but are just taking a break and getting things ready at the moment. It’s all very exciting. I also have a radio show that’s on once a week which is linked to my travel show’s build up. It’s on Saturdays between 4 and 5pm on Trans Africa Radio which is the biggest online radio station in Africa. You can listen to it on www.transafricaradio.net or on DSTV audio channel 172. I also find myself writing a lot and post some of my pieces on my website. I guess you can call it blogging. I also do modelling …or rather what I call “prop work”, because modelling is not rocket science and I’m not a fan of the industry.

Tamika: Have you done any television commercials? If so, what?

Stephen: I’ve done a lot and to be honest it’s really a blur. I’m not a big fan of TV commercials; they take forever and are extremely boring. Film wise, I’ve been offered a few roles but had to turn them down due to me not really enjoying the actual script. I don’t want to do something for the sake of doing it. If the right script comes along then I will jump into it. I have shot for Visa, Woolworths, Edgars, Mr Price, Jockey, BMW, Nivea, Toyota, C&A (Europe), Otto (Europe), George (Europe), Orange Mobile (Europe), Tichibo (Europe), Aagaurd Jewellery (Europe)  and loads of magazines locally and internationally. Those are a few clients off the top of my head. As I said, it’s all a blur and I take it with a pinch of salt. I have been very lucky with work but I don’t take it too seriously. I have just been doing it for the money and have been lucky enough to travel abroad for modelling and it has given me a lot of free time. My main focus is, and always will be, my TV show and my other projects because I like using my brain and I love being creative.

Tamika: What is the most recent you have done?

Stephen: Just shot for the BMW TV commercial this weekend and I was just confirmed for the Jockey Campaign shooting in a week so that will be fun I think.

Tamika: What’s in the pipeline for you at the moment?

Stephen: As I said, I’m off to LA soon. I then start shooting again up in Africa. I’m also just busy with my radio show and an animated short film I am producing. I would like to release it in a year’s time. We’re busy sourcing animators… if you know of any please give me a shout! I really do believe it’ll do well in festivals since this story has never been done before.

Tamika: Who is your agent?

Stephen: I don’t have an acting agent, but I get work for TV and film through my modelling agents. South Africa – Ice Genetics in Cape Town and Star Models in Johannesburg. United Kingdom – Zone Models in London. Germany – Clear Models in Munich and Vida Models in Nurnburg.

Tamika: What are your favourite South African films?

Stephen:The God’s Must Be Crazy. Stupid funny!

Tamika: Where do you party, usually?

Stephen: I love Karaoke! Enough said…. That’s where the parties are fun!

Tamika: What’s in the boot of your car right now?

Stephen: A wet wetsuit! Oh, and a tent.

Tamika: Do you have siblings?

Stephen: Yes I do; three older sisters. They trained me well…

Tamika: What is your health routine like?

Stephen: Surf! Surf! Surf! And eat right… Oh yes and get enough sleep!

Tamika: Where do you see yourself in ten years from now?

Stephen: Ten years time, well that’s hard to say. But I think I’ll still just be doing what I love – so in the ocean somewhere. Maybe a kid or two… who knows. Right now, I’m just enjoying learning everyday about the world we live in and about myself. That’s what life is about. I just want to be happy.

Tamika: What’s one interesting thing about you that your followers don’t know?

Stephen: I’m shy… Believe it or not!

Tamika: Name a place you love.

Stephen: The ocean. No matter where I am in the world, if I step into the ocean I feel at home.

Tamika: Do you do any charity work?

Stephen: I’m launching a charity foundation called The Blue Sheep Foundation. The name has symbolism for me. You’ll hear about it soon enough.

Tamika: What do you tell yourself when you walk out of an audition?

Stephen: “There is no dignity or pride in what I just did.”

If you want to follow him on Twitter, he goes by @stephentravels

You can also check him out on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/stephenjakefriedman or  http://stephenfriedman.weebly.com

Xxxx

Tamika Interviews Justin Munitz

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Arriving at Salt Deli in Bantry Bay (a little bit late I must admit), I’m greeted by the charming smile of my next actor… Justin Munitz.

Actor, model and entrepreneur, he has done loads of commercial work and had his first film debut last year. He’s travelled to Paris, London, Berlin and Milan for modelling and studied acting at New York’s famous William Esper Studio.  Now actively involved in the film industry here in Cape Town, I met up with him to find out a bit more.

Tamika: So where are you from originally?

Justin: Cape Town.

Tamika: Where did you go to school?

Justin: Herzilia High.

Tamika: What did you do after school?

Justin: I studied Marketing and Economics at UCT for two years and then did four years through Unisa. I finished in 2003.

Tamika: What kind of training did you do for acting, if any?

Justin: I actually first got into the scene through a modelling agency. The first ever modelling agency I belonged to was ‘Goodski’ – for extreme sports. That was my first introduction to TV Commercials. That spawned a haphazard modelling career for years, where I changed agencies a couple of times and travelled around Europe! But there came a time when I realised I started booking more commercial work than print work and it was through the commercials that I realised that acting was what I wanted to do. At 29, I attended the Screen Actor’s Studio here in Cape Town for a year. I also did workshops with Bjorn Steinbach. And I took myself to New York to do their Summer Intensive programme at the William Esper Studio. Along with practical experience, those were the places where I honed my acting skills.

Tamika: What would you say it is that you do primarily –acting for theatre or for film?

Justin: I am acting mostly for commercials these days. But of course film and television are what I’m focused on.

Tamika: Name your most recent role – what film was it, when was it and what was your role?

Justin: Ambassador 2, featuring my good friend Siv Ngesi, last year (2011). I played a corrupt businessman involved in illegal ivory poaching. We shot at a game reserve in Pietermaritzburg as well as in Cape Town.

Tamika: Have you done any commercials? If so, what?

Justin: Yes I have. I’ve done mostly car commercials; including for the BMW M3, Opel, Audi and VW. Then there has been for LG here in South Africa and LV Insurance in Europe. And recently there’s been Black Label and Nescafe Gold.

Tamika: What is the most recent you have done?

Justin: A Miller’s commercial.

Tamika: What’s in the pipeline for you at the moment?

Justin: Continuing with castings and auditions for film and television. Aside from that, what keeps me most busy is my photography work. I started a business called “#justshootme” and my main niche at the moment is new born babies and events. I have a Facebook page for my photography where people can go check out my work if they like! My website is hellobaby.blogspot.com. Apart from photographing and editing, I’m also a personal trainer – people come to my studio here in Bantry Bay and I do what is known as “High Intensity Interval Training”.

Tamika: Who is your agent?

Justin: APM since 2010.

Tamika: Do you also model?

Justin: Yes I still do, with Pure Management.

Tamika: What are your favourite South African films?

Justin:  Heel Against The Head, starring Bill Flynn and Paul Slabolepszy.

Tamika: Where do you party, usually?

Justin: Caprice and The Reserve.

Tamika: What’s in the boot of your car right now?

Justin: A sandbag weight to hold down my lighting equipment!

Tamika: Do you have siblings?

Justin: Yes I do; an older brother – the best life coach in South Africa.

Tamika: What is your health routine like?

Justin: Very good. My personal training obviously helps with that.

Tamika: Where do you see yourself in ten years from now?

Justin: In terms of acting, I think the South African industry is in its infancy for film. If it continues at the level it’s going, hopefully in ten years it will have the infrastructure to support my acting goals.

Tamika: What’s one interesting thing about you that your followers don’t know?

Justin: I can be quite shy.

Tamika: Name a place you love.

Justin: Clanwilliam.

Tamika: Do you do any charity work?

Justin: I plan on getting more involved with charity in 2012.

Tamika: What do you tell yourself when you walk out of an audition?

Justin: I keep a journal and write down every casting I go to and how I felt about it.

If you want to follow him on Twitter, he goes by @JustinMunitz.

You can also check him out on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/justin.munitz or  #justshootme

Xxxx