Fans are getting to know him as Ntokozo on Mzansi Magic's latest hit telenovela, Gomora, but the young star is also an economist and a musician.
Ntobeko Sishi (21) has two degrees from the University of Cape Town.
"Yeah man, I have a BCom in economics and finance and a post grad diploma in entrepreneurship. I knew I was academically inclined but I have a love and passion for the arts. When I was at university I auditioned a lot around Cape Town but most of those did not work out for me because they would require touring and I was heavily focused on my academics," he says.
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He says one day he would love to merge his worlds together.
"My end goal is to be able to teach performers how to make money from their craft. So that we can end this thing of artists finding themselves broke," he says.
He got his first gig in 2018 when he played a schoolboy on SABC 2's Signal Hill.
"I had initially auditioned for the same production company that made Gomora when they did Nkululelo but I did not get the role because they wanted a Xhosa speaking lead and I am Zulu. They kept my audition tapes and when they were looking for someone to play Ntokozo I got a call to audition for the role and I got it and I am thoroughly enjoying it. I am humbled to be surrounded by such great and legendary actors to learn from," he says.
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He does not want to put himself in a box when he talks about his music, because he dabbles in a little bit of everything. He is an independent artist and not signed to any record label.
"Last year I released an afro beat song and this Friday I will be releasing an R&B track. It is a little something for the ladies because it was inspired by the ladies," he chuckles.
With everything going on in the world as a result of the coronavirus and the ripple effect it will have on other industries, Ntobeko says he is keeping a close eye on the South African economy.
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"I do not spend every day reading up on what is happening on the financial markets, but I make sure to keep abreast with everything that is happening. All of this affects us and I make sure that I am in the know when it comes to the financial and economic decisions that are made, even at a political level," he says.
As young as he is, Ntobeko has a solid CV which includes him doing his internship at Allan Gray.
