When I stepped onto the stage as John in Athol Fugard’s The Island, I didn’t know it would mark the beginning of a journey that would take me from Johannesburg to Los Angeles, from Shakespeare to Netflix sets, and from acting to writing my own stories. What I did know was that the stage felt like home, a place where discipline, imagination, and truth all met.
Since that first performance, I’ve had the privilege of portraying characters that challenge me in new ways. On screen, I’ve led films such as Ndibone, Hermit, and I Am Black, and I was honored to star in the Critics’ Choice Award–winning short I Ship It. On stage, I’ve had the chance to step into the shoes of Oberon in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, John in The Island, and Young Blood in August Wilson’s Jitney. Each role has taught me something different about the craft, how to honor tradition while finding my own interpretation.
Training has been central to my growth. After completing my BFA in Film at AFDA in South Africa, I pursued a second BFA in Acting from AMDA College of the Performing Arts in Los Angeles, graduating in 2024. Learning under incredible mentors like Matt Odunya, Robert Cicchini, and Omar Samad gave me tools I continue to refine on every set and stage I step onto. My time at AMDA also deepened my understanding of performance as both a technical and emotional discipline.
But my artistic journey has never been limited to acting alone. I am also a writer, currently developing two animation projects that will showcase stories close to my heart. I’ve had the opportunity to collaborate with film festival directors in various capacities, sometimes in front of the camera, sometimes behind it. These experiences remind me that storytelling takes many forms, and my voice can extend beyond performance into creation.
Discipline has shaped me just as much as creativity has. As a martial artist with a third-degree black belt in karate and experience in jujitsu, kung fu, and tai chi, I’ve learned how physical control translates into stage combat and screen presence. As a seven-time chess champion, I’ve learned how strategy and patience mirror the choices an actor makes when building a character. And as a competitive swimmer and athlete, I’ve carried forward the endurance necessary to pursue a demanding career in entertainment.
Being multilingual in English, Xhosa, and Zulu has also given me a global perspective, one I hope to continue sharing through my work. I believe performance is a universal language, one that bridges cultures and creates empathy.
As I continue to expand my career, both in front of and behind the camera, I remain committed to telling stories that matter and to pushing the boundaries of what it means to be a performer in a global industry. The journey that began with The Island has taken me far, but in many ways, I feel I’m only just beginning.
