The Sunday News
Rumbidzai Mhlanga, Sunday Life Reporter
Acting and writing scripts has always been what Mkhaliphi Takana Sibanda, warmly known as Ice-T wanted to do.
It was at the age of 7 doing Grade 2 at Bidi Primary in Kezi, Matabeleland South when he started doing stage plays. Driven by determination and passion, he continued acting until he did a course at College of Creative Arts (CCA).
“I started doing stage plays from primary school and in secondary school I was more serious about acting. I then got the best actor award when I was doing my A-level. I was the director of a school drama club and I wrote a lot of plays. I always had a dream of making it into the film industry but it wasn’t easy due to financial constraints. I even dropped out of a film school CCA but I did not give up on my dream.
“A South African film maker, the late Tsepo Ngwane came to my rescue and held my hand guiding me to where I am today, he took me to a couple of film workshops where I gained more knowledge about the film industry. It’s unfortunate he is no longer here to see who I have become,” he added.
Mkhaliphi shared with this publication his achievements, experiences and challenges.
“I made my first drama Houseboy in 2015 which was not broadcast due to a lot of reasons, Cassanova in 2017, last seen in 2018 and I’m currently working on this action drama series Igazi Lami which is a game changer and if well-funded it is going to be a hit. So far this series has one season and 13 episodes. I hope I will get someone to help me with funds so that I work on season two. I am also working on a book about filming, more of a filming guide.
“Lack of TV channels and lack of funding is a greatest challenge and obstacle, for instance I fail to pay the crew I work with, it is very hard since I don’t have anyone sponsoring me or helping me with any funds and since I’m self-employed I have to hustle to at least buy food for my crew and give them transport money. But none of these challenges will make me give up on what I love doing,” he added.
