Thandolwethu Zondi is part of the cast of the Netflix’s new drama series GO! that has made a big impact in several countries including South Africa.
In just its first week, the show reached the top 10 most-watched non-English shows, taking the 8th spot and attracting more than 1.5 million views.
People who watched the series have taken to Tik Tok praising the production of the series, “this show might just be the greatest Netflix produced show in South Africa ever” said Kay Mahapa"
@kennedy4568 Thadolwethu Zondi Talks about acting journey and his Role in Netflix’s GO! In an exclusive interview with IOL News #Netflix #GO! #thandolwethuzondi #Mzansi ♬ original sound - Kennedy phungela
In an interview with IOL News, the rising star shared his journey as an actor and how his role in the Netflix series GO! changed his life. The young actor has become famous because of his performance in Go, which became a huge hit.
Kennedy Phungela: Who is Thandolwethu Zondi in a nutshell?
Thandolwethu Zondi: I’m just an average guy, a 23-year-old from Pietermaritzburg, South Africa I always loved acting. I went to Marsburg College in High even though I studied sports management at university. Most importantly I am a child of God who just lives his life through Jesus Christ.
I was inspired by the actors I watched growing up, especially the late Menzi Ngubane. My love for acting pushed me to take a chance and audition for my first role, which changed everything.
KP: How did you feel when you were informed that you had been cast as Siya Bolt Gumede, one of the main characters, in GO!?
TZ: It was so surreal. I was with my mom and my brother in the car just driving from church to home and the way it was so surreal. They were celebrating because they were just so happy. They were over the moon. But for me, I was trying to grasp it. I was trying to register it and process what was going on. it was a moment that I don't think I'll ever forget because that call changed my life. And even on the day, it felt like it had already changed my life at the time. that's how much that call meant to me. So yeah, I know the atmosphere was nuts, my bro. it was crazy. It was a time that was just unbelievable.
KP: What has it been like it been like working alongside legends in the film and tv industry like Dawn Thandeka King, Vusi Kunene and Katlego Danke? What have you learned from them?
TZ : Those people are so professional that we'd be sitting before a scene and we'd all be bonding, but as soon as the director or as soon as they start talking that the scene is going to commence shortly, you see the change in their eyes, the change in their voices, the change, they become the character before the scene starts being shot. And the fact that Dawn, for example, we were shooting in Hillbrow and shooting at the 23rd floor and usually they would use the elevator, but there was one elevator, and it wouldn't work, she would walk up those stairs nobody's business. I saw she wouldn't complain one bit. She would walk up those stairs, go kill the scenes, and walk back down those stairs whenever she needed to. But that's how professional she is, that she respects work so much that whatever is in front of her, as long as the work gets done, then nothing else matters.
KP: Sia vs Thandolwethu Zondi; what are the differences and similarities?
TZ: Yeah look, me and Sia have quite a lot of similarities, but I think obviously the difference is that he grew up and lived in the town, and he went to obviously the school that he went to. Think I was a bit luckier in terms of the privilege that I had. I went to quite decent schools and he the school he ended up going to was sort of my life growing up, his dad obviously passed away, but my dad was always there. I was also raised by a single mom, but my dad is always there, paying for my school fees, and I think characteristic-wise, I seem very quiet. He's very quiet. He just takes in things, he's always calm and in so many situations as we see him. He’s always trying to calm himself from the situation, I think I'm a bit more extroverted and I panic a lot, and yeah, I think those are the sort of differences and I mean the absolute world.
KP: How do you feel about the global success of GO! on Netflix
TZ: felt proud and excited when I found out that Go! was a global hit on Netflix. When I first heard that Go! was in the top 10 worldwide, I couldn’t believe it. The show’s success shows how real and relatable the story and characters are. I believe that Go! connects with viewers because it shows how people face challenges while trying to achieve their dreams.
KP: What makes GO! special?
TZ: GO! is unique because it tells a homegrown South African story with characters that feel real and relatable. The series shows people dealing with difficult situations while staying loyal to their families and their dreams. I believe this is why the show has become so popular, not just in South Africa but also in other countries.
KP: Any advice for Young Actors
TZ: Every opportunity is a big opportunity.” When I first auditioned for GO! I didn’t know it would end up on Netflix. But I treated the audition as if it were a big deal, and that attitude helped me to get the role. I believe that every audition should be taken seriously and given your best effort.
KP: Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years from now as an actor?
TZ: I am still finding my niche, what I like, and because I've done short series, I've done longer series, I've done a movie, so I'm just trying to figure out where I want to, stamp my name in, So, I think right now it's hard to say where I see myself in 5 years as someone who's still trying to figure himself and identify himself in this industry.
But I think what I'm just leading with and one of my core drives is I just want to do as much as I can in the best way that I So maybe in 5 years I'll be hopefully a household name that people know is someone that is going to jump into whatever set that is and give us 110%. So, I think that's the kind of reputation I'm trying to build so that in 5 years that reputation will speak for me.
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