Walmer stage actor gets his TV break

Sigqibo Kutase, a Gqeberha actor, is rumoured to be one of the main characters in a new television show premiering next year.

Kutase is one of the Eastern Cape’s talents who will appear in the show, Gqeberha – The Empire, which is being filmed in this province.

This show is said to feature well-known television actors from this province, including Zikhona Sodlaka, Zandile Msutwana, Tazz Nginda, Ayanda Makayi, and Phila Madlingozi.

Kutase, 27, was born in Walmer township in Gqeberha and first became interested in theatre when he was in Grade 10 at Walmer High School.

“There was a Love Life campaign called Love Life Mpintshiz that liked to come to school and do some of the Life Orientation lessons,” Kutase explained.

“Once they chose us to show what we learned by doing plays on stage, that is where I started,” he said.

He said that he was with others who made a name for themselves in theatre at the time, such as the late Siphosethu ‘Pelepele’ Buti.

“We started a theatre group without proper training. We used to go there every Friday and perform in front of the public, charging R5 at the door,” Kutase recalled.

Kutase began working as a paid actor in 2016, and he has also appeared in Sithatha Trust-produced shows.

He has appeared in plays by well-known playwrights such as Gift Buqa, Zakes Mda, John Kani, and Athol Fugard. He also appeared at the Iphulo and National Arts Festivals.

When Kutase realised he wanted to make a living as a performer, he enrolled in Stageworld Theatre’s Diploma in Performing Arts program.

“I realised I love this, and I want to make a living doing it,” he explained.

This performer has worked with legends like Nomhle Nkonyeni, Thoko Ntshinga, and Duma kaNdlovu.

He has also appeared in feature films, short stories, and radio stories on Mhlobo Wenene FM.

Although he did not want to reveal too many details about the show he will be starring in because they are not allowed to discuss it, he did say that this will be his first time on national television.

“I want to grow in the film stage, I want to play on the international stage, I want to be known for my work because I was sent to convey a message through performing arts,” the young television actor said.

He said that he aspires to be an actor like Denzel Washington.

The young actor said that he would like to appear in shows such as The Estate, Gomora, and The River, as well as on the Netflix streaming service.

Ggeberha – The Empire will begin early next year.