Veteran actor Vusi Kunene is undoubtedly one of the most acclaimed and highly talented actors in South Africa. His acting CV is impressive with unforgettable roles of dark cold-hearted crooks that have kept viewers on the edge of their seats for many years. From dodgy businessman in SABC3’s Isidingo, to ‘man with the black leather glove’ Jack Mabaso on Generations and shrewd chief of Ebhubesini on Isibaya, Vusi Kunene has become the king of hard-core gangster roles we love to hate.
Here is what he had to say about his on-stage life and what it has taken to be such a powerhouse on TV.
WHAT ENCOURAGED YOU TO PURSUE AN ACTING CAREER?
I grew up loving movies, especially South African movies. I was one of those kids who were crazy about Sdudla, Mshefane and Baba Simon Mabhunu Sabela from local movies. Like all the kids, when playing and fooling around I mimicked those characters, but it was just fun I didn’t think anything more of it.
For me acting is more than just a career, it’s like a calling. It’s bigger than talent, it’s something that I felt I needed to do. Of course, in the beginning there were the nagging questions such as ‘do you really want to do this? ‘Can you make a living out of this?’ To answer all of that I would ask myself ‘can you live without it?’ Yes, I was afraid to take that leap, but without a doubt this was what I wanted to do. And I never looked back.
WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST-EVER ROLE ON TV OR THEATRE?
The first role that I’m really grateful for is a workshopped play called Strings Attached. I played a man called Philemon, whose job was to open and close the gate on a farm. That was the metaphor in his life. It was a psychologically challenging role. It got to be my first real gig, which was to set up the beginning of my career. I was later on also cast in another play called Bambu and things really took off from there. In my second year as a student in dramatic arts at the Wits School of Drama I got a role in Zakes Mda’s The Hill. Then subsequently got my first television role in The Line. As an actor with theatrical training, the challenge was to make it work for TV. But with good directions, it worked out and it all built up from there to where I am today.
OF ALL THE ROLES YOU HAVE PLAYED IN THE PAST, WHICH IS YOUR FAVOURITE?
I love all the roles, I’ve played. Jack Mabaso from Generations and Bhekifa from Isibaya are quite different but easy to confuse when you play them. Getting that right felt good. I was able to appreciate each character.
WHAT IS MORE IMPORTANT FOR AN ACTOR, TALENT OR TRAINING?
Training is not to make up for lack of talent. It’s honing your talent. It helps you understand your craft. Broadens your vision, as an actor, so you train to become an actor. And the training will bring out your talent. You can be trained already believing you have talent. And you realise you’re even better than you thought you were, it’s all about discipline.
HOW DO YOU GET INTO YOUR CHARACTER ROLE MENTALLY?
You have to believe in the character to be able to immerse yourself in it, connect with it and understand where you must take the role. It’s important to hear and understand what the director communicates to you. It’s important to be able to follow what the director wants from you physically and mentally as well.
WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR MOST CHALLENGING ROLE?
Tumelo John Motasi in Deafening Silence is a role that stands out for me. Playing a real character really challenges you. Just knowing that that person went through all the things you’re acting out, takes you to another place emotionally.
IF YOU WERE NOT AN ACTOR, WHAT OTHER INDUSTRY DO YOU THINK YOU’D BE IN?
My other passion is football, watching it, that is. I’m a very private person and I respect other people’s space.
NOW THAT YOU HAVE LEFT GENERATIONS: THE LEGACY, WHAT WILL YOU MISS THE MOST ABOUT BEING PART OF SUCH A HUGE SHOW IN MZANSI AND PEOPLE’S LIVES?
I will always miss Jack! I have become known and Jack Mabaso. I have been cast in other good roles because of the role of Jack. But it’s good to go to other productions and create new roles for people to like. It’s the actor people appreciate and they love the character because of the work the actor puts into it. I believe audiences will appreciate my work wherever I go.
WHAT WOULD YOU TELL YOUR YOUNGER SELF?
To my younger self I would tell to not forget to have fun with your work. Acting is to be enjoyed, not to make you feel like you’re carrying a yoke.
ANY ADVICE FOR YOUNG ACTORS WHO WANT TO GET INTO THE INDUSTRY?
The industry has changed, it’s easier to break into now. Arts and drama schools teach you about the industry. It’s not just a hobby like we were made to believe in our schooling days, it’s a real profession and should be treated as such.
3 THINGS YOU DIDN’T KNOW ABOUT VUSI KUNENE
- He hardly gives interviews and when he does, he rarely discusses his personal life.
- He was born on Friday the 13th April, but the nurse on duty thought it was bad luck and changed it to the 12th April.
- He won a SAFTA award for Best Actor in 2011 for his role in Soul City and Best Actor award for his role in Isibaya.