By Jonk wa Mashamba
info@alexreporter.co.za
On South African’s biggest telenovela Uzalo Simosibucayi Simo Buthelezi ( Screwdriver) is portrayed as filthy, unattractive machanic with slow brains, but that is completely contrary to what this great man has to offer!
Simo, as Buthelezi is affectionately known, is the KwaMashu-born passionate performing artist who works tirelessly to make a name for himself in the acting industry.
He nurtured his acting talent when he went to Mbongeni Ngema’s Acting Academy for a full course in Drama and Acting.
His first professional acting role was with Mbongeni
Ngema’s theatre play; The Zulu.
This opportunity gave him confidence in his craft and went to audition for the leading character for Isihlahla Sobuntu theatre play, which he got.
Isihlahla
Sobuntu was produced by legendary Tu Nokwe and it played at Durban Stable Theatre from 2005 to 2007.
Buthelezi is also the producer and director of Pascal, an educational school-set theatre play which promotes love for the Mathematics to school going children.
Pascal was performed across Kwa-Zulu Natal province from 2012 to 2017.
Currently, he is playing the funny character of Screwdriver on South Africa’s biggest telenovela Uzalo, which plays on SABC
“I have seen lot of growth in myself in the past few years.
“The move from theatre into film is a wonderful experience. As KZN creatives, we must be very thankful of productions like Uzalo, Imbewu and Durban Gen because they are giving us opportunities to showcase our talents nationally,” he said.
The spirit of giving back guides Buthelezi.
He annually hosts a charity kid’s fun day which he calls ‘Malum’ Khis’musi Fun Day’.
This event takes place on Christmas Day where Buthelezi provides entertainment, gifts, lunch packs and plays fun games with the young ones from his neighbourhood.
As an art activist, Buthelezi co-founded the Cultural & Creative Industry Federation of South Africa (CCIFSA) in 2015, a body of organised artists that mobilises for the support of creative artists.
He is serving CCIFSA as its KZN Provincial Coordinator.
Buthelezi is also the cofounding member and secretary of Imbumba Creative Business Forum, a federation of creative businesses from Inanda, Ntuzuma and KwaMashu (INK).
His passion and dedication is taking him to places in the creative industry.
