Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
Sky’s the limit for thankful Luke
Soaring above earlier trying circumstances, the ‘Generations’ actor urges others to believe in themselves
ACTOR Reginald Hufkie, who plays Luke in Generations: The Legacy, might have been brought up in difficult conditions, but that did not stop him from reaching his dreams.
The former Stellenbosch resident was exposed to drugs and alcohol as well as physical and verbal abuse at a young age.
Hufkie, 27, who lives in Melville, Johannesburg, suffered from heart problems while growing up but this changed when he started competing in athletics at the age of seven.
In 2004, his mother succumbed to tuberculosis and a year later his father died from the same disease.
Left orphaned, abused and never having enough food at home, Hufkie and his younger brother were moved to a children’s home.
“I was scared and sad. I grew up in fear, not really trusting anyone, and because of all this I never believed I was worthy or beautiful. I felt lost when my parents died. Nobody to run to and no guidance or mentorship, and this was at the start of my teenage years. At the children’s home we got food, I went to a better school, it was situated in a suburb, so circumstances were way better and that made me a better person,” he said.
Despite his background, Hufkie had always had a passion for acting. He took part in a number of school productions, such as Fiela se Kind, the musical.
In 2012, he went to the Grahamstown Arts Festival with a University of Johannesburg production called
Metaphorically Speaking. He also had stints in 7de Laan and High Rollers., and played Zancas in the Silwerskerm Festival award-winning short-film Cowboy
Dan last year.
Hufkie now also has a diploma in transportation management.
“I’m very proud and grateful for where I am. Looking back and seeing where I am today is mind-blowing. Ten years ago I was in matric, still staying in the children’s home, and now I am acting alongside the country’s best actors, the people I watched on TV when I was in the children’s home.
“I don’t take anything for granted anymore, brother. I dwell in thanksgiving and I am focused like I have never been,” he said.
When not sharpening his acting
I felt lost when my parents died. Nobody to run to and no guidance Reginald Hufkie ACTOR AND WRITER
skills, Hufkie enjoys writing sport stories and music. He has written for Modern Athlete Magazine, Team SA Magazine, Varsity Sports and Backtrack Sports.
“I enjoy spending time with my music, recording it and influencing lives through it. Emceeing, presenting, commentating, writing, motivational speaking and sports are all things that I love to work on,” said Hufkie, whose message to others in the same position he was is to always believe in themselves.
“Don’t limit yourself just because you live in a shack, hood or home. Have a positive attitude and work hard on your dreams.
“Anything you want in life comes at a cost, so make the needed sacrifices. This is only the start for me, though.”