Actor a mystery man in real life

THE man behind Fezile is a mystery to many and actor Andile Mxakaza has told the Daily Dispatch that it is a result of a conscious decision he took years ago.

Mxakaza made sure to separate his personal life from his working life very early in his career.

The actor‚ who turns 40 this year‚ said he has kept his personal life to himself because he wanted people to reserve their judgement for his work‚ not who he is.

He opened up briefly about his “past life”, describing himself as an ex-township hustler.

“All I’m willing to share is there was an era where I was a model and a time before that when I was a curious teenager. My father and I didn’t get along for the longest time because he thought I would end up as a thug due to my actions when I was younger.

“But it was just a phase – a part in the story that ends with me finding myself and becoming who I’ve turned out to be.”

Mxakaza said when he turned 26 he restored his relationship with his father, and this turned out to be one of the best decisions he ever made because now he gets to enjoy the “blessing that is my father and mother”.

Mxakaza said he could see how proud they were of him whenever they spoke about the man he had become.

The actor‚ who admitted that he learned all he knew about acting on the job‚ said he began believing in his God-given talent after some veteran actors validated his gift.

“I’ve learnt a lot. The most important lesson I’ve been taught is that an artist’s love for his craft must be renewed every day. I also have my mentors to thank. In fact‚ they made me. I am lucky to have worked with the people I have because they built the artist I’ve become.”

Mxakaza said he still wanted to explore different roles and his career would be complete if he got to play “a pastor‚ a gangster and a blind man”.

“I realised that I was absolutely captured by acting when I couldn’t stop thinking about how to improve.

“I would go jogging and think about my character. All want to give is my best,” he said.