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Getting into the acting industry is very difficult and sustaining a career in the industry is even more of a challenge. But hard work, passion and perseverance sees many actors making their way into the industry and being able to flourish as they go along. This ethic has certainly paid off for one actor who is starting to make his mark into the industry. Twenty-one-year-old Junior Singo, who hails from the biggest township in South Africa, Soweto, is currently the star of not one, but two South African films currently on circuit.
Many viewers will know Singo for his role as Themba in Hopeville, the inspirational drama series which has now been adapted into a movie. Singo was born in Chiawelo and later moved to Protea Glen where he spent most of his childhood. His career in the acting industry started at the tender age of 12.
His mother Carol Oliphant, who is an art director, had an influence on him becoming an actor; she is the one who told him to audition for the Hopeville role.
His claim to stardom was in 2002 when he starred as Musa in Beat the Drum, directed by David Hickson.
Besides Beat the Drum, he has also appeared in Wooden Camera, had the starring role in Themba – A Boy Called Hope and Hopeville, the TV mini-series which is now making waves on the big screen.
He also played the son of Samuel L. Jackson's character in the movie In My Country, which is based on Antjie Krog's memoir Country of My Skull, but his scenes were later deleted.
He won the Best Newcomer award for Beat the Drum at the Monaco International Film Festival in 2003 and best actor gong at the Newport Beach Festival in California.
Chatting to Channel24 about his role as Themba in Hopeville, Singo said the experience of acting among some of the best South African actors was really great and he hopes that people will go and watch the movie.
"Acting among prominent actors is nerve-wracking," said Singo. He added that as an actor and acting amongst the best requires one to be focused and disciplined to master the role.
He is inspired by a number of actors in the industry who include the likes of Vusi Kunene, Themba Ndaba – who plays his alcoholic father in Hopeville, Leonardo diCaprio and Halle Barry.
When Singo is not perfecting those lines, he can be found in the recording studio working on his second passion – music – which he hopes to pursue later in his career. Could this be the makings of another South African double-threat on the horizon?
"Even though I love music, for now I want to focus on my TV career and to getting more acting roles," confided Singo.
"I am motivated by actors who take time to perfect their craft, actors who put an effort into researching to grasp the character and in doing so portray them with such ease," said Singo.
Sounds like this is one young talent who has his head firmly on his shoulders.
* Hopeville is currently on circuit and Themba – A Boy Called Hope is being screened at The Wheel in Durban.
