Acting runs in his blood

THOMAS Gumede does not believe in cancelling appointments, even if it means rocking up tipsy from a dusk-tilldawn turn up. The South African actor, presenter, director and comedian is fully dedicated to all his posts but makes sure there s time for play; like surprising his business partner and friend Lungile Radu with an all-night turn up for his 35th birthday the night before. The production crew at his film and television company, Parental Advisory Productions owned by Thomas, Lungile, Siyabonga Ngwekazi and Simphiwe Mhlongo quickly excuse their boss s demeanor ahead of his arrival. It s like a scene from a movie playing out as he waltzes in, is pulled aside to sign off a few cheques and has an assistant hand him a strong cup of java to straighten up. Looking roguish in a tracksuit, sneakers and snapback while sporting a thug life tattoo inspired by the late rapper and actor Tupac Shakur Thomas is in control. He dubs himself #thugthespian on Instagram pics. When you re born into a system where you re seen as a number one suspect or criminal because of your skin colour, it s that hate given that has made me an actor and able to shine,” says Gumede of his hashtag. He recently wrapped up on set after a month of filming a new movie called Back of the Moon.

I play the lead role in Angus Gibson s first feature film, which is set in 1958. It s in pre-production phases so I can t share much about it as yet. But there is the film The Lucky Specials, releasing this month, where I play a pianist called Sello who s part of a young band, Lucky Specials alongside Oros Mampofu, who contracts TB and puts the survival of the band at stake.”

He has also been wearing his stand-up comedian hat snugly on MTV s new video clip comedy show, Ridiculousness Africa alongside Boity and Basketmouth.

His break in comedy came while completing his studies at the age of 19.

Before I started acting, I wrote comedy and raps. When I was studying film and performance at AFDA, the guys from the Pure

Monate Show came around to find out if there are any comedians and I was like yeah.

Now, being a pro at it, he gets to host the coolest events.

But the Jack of all trades stresses that when he s acting, there is no hat for that. My only love is acting. When I produce I m an actor producing. When I do comedy, I m an actor doing comedy.

Last year, Thomas celebrated a decade in the industry since his TV debut in a VW Passat advert in 2005 before going on to play parts

in series such as Single Guys, Bay of Plenty, Backstage,

Home Affairs and Soul City. Starring as a cute little Pumba in his school s Lion

King production in Grade 4 is his earliest recollection of his first love, acting.

I believe I was always an actor. I woke up one day and I was like, actually I need me in my life, I m an actor.”

At 30 years old, he is still the youngest actor to have won a SA Film and Television Awards (Safta) gong for best actor in a drama back in 2009 and again last year for best actor in a comedy.

If you can do it twice, make people laugh and cry, then that shows me that I m going to win an Oscar. If you re dope in South Africa, then you re dope in the world. My whole house can burn down with everything in it but I ll grab those mother f*****s.

A whole lot of practice, being connected to every moment and all the cliche things like hard work is what it takes to be a great actor. I m nowhere near where I want to be. I want to be one of the best actors in the world.”

Being producer and director at Parental Advisory Productions, which is behind hit reality shows Forever Young , MoLove and Mandla

and Lexi on Vuzu is what keeps the flame alive.

We re four years on air now. Lungstar [Lungile] is the brainchild and roped us in. We had to produce it all ourselves. I do the viewing, conceptualising to hiring, firing and directing.

If I need to sleep, I would, If I don t then I carry on working. It s about being in charge of your life.”

Abandoned by his father at a young age, leaving his mom to raise him with his two brothers, Thomas says ignorance was bliss growing up.

I never felt my life growing up was bad, only now I look back and think how did she raise us with the little she earned? I got the best opportunities because of her. She put me in LA, New York, so it s not just about me. I m trying to build an empire. My parents couldn t educate me about this industry and how to do it, that s why I m creating a blue-print, teaching old people how to be free because we want proper freedom. If my nieces grow up and they have nothing to live for then I have failed.”