The Standard (Zimbabwe)

Zim actor dazzles on Mzansi TV

- BY KUDZAI CHITSATSO Bones 2: Back from the Past Card SABC Generation­s The Legacy Scandal. Mr Yellow One Way ZTV’s Youth.Com. Estate Blues. Scandal, Umlilo, The Queen, Zabalaza, Broken Vows, Isithembis­o, The River Gomorrah.

THE Zimbabwean showbiz industry has over the years proved to be a rich fodder for the South African arts industry, as evidenced by the growing number of local artistes involved in top film and soapies in that country.

The likes of Tongayi Chirisa, Luthuli Dlamini, Chiedza Mhende and Leroy Gopal are some of the notable film stars that have crossed the Limpopo and made their names on the South African film industry.

Chirisa acted on a number of television series in South Africa, but made a major breakthrou­gh after his role as Hekule on Leon Schuster’s

movie while Dlamini starred in a number of soapies, Scandal, Generation­s, Jacob’s Cross, InterSEXio­ns, Rockville, Room, TempyPusha­s and Uzalo.

Gopal, the star actor in the local movie

is famed in South Africa for his role of Thabang Ngema on the drama series while Mhende has become the most sought-after artiste across the Limpopo after she played Wandile on where she is now part of the soapie’s production team.

Apart from acting, Mhende is also a voice-over artist and musician.

Another local gem, Jerome Galiao has been added to the list and is dazzling South African television with his role as Dr Nyasha Mugari on top South African soapie

Galiao was in Zimbabwe for the Easter holiday and enjoyed renewed attention from old fans and made a lot of new friends, thanks to his new role in Scandal, one of the most followed soapies in Southern Africa.

“Easter break led me back home to Zimbabwe for a couple of weeks where l am enjoying a lot of renewed attention from old fans, but also a whole new support system of new fans and business,” he said.

“Fans are welcoming me home and congratula­ting me on my new success in different ways.”

Galiao said he came to spend “quality time with his loved ones”.

“Home is home and it is always a great pleasure to be back and spend quality time with my loved ones from the family, synergies with fellow creatives as well as link up with some businesses and find ways to collaborat­e on their marketing efforts,” he said.

The star said he enjoyed local media engagement­s, and had marathon interviews across print and electronic media in Zimbabwe.

“I enjoyed a lot of media engagement­s and I had a lot of interviews across radio and television stations as well as newspapers,” Galiao said.

“I can’t imagine a better way to be home and I am so thankful for all the love, my Zimbabwe.”

Galiao said he always wanted to act in South Africa to broaden his horizons and as a Zimbabwean acting in South Africa means a lot to him.

“I always wanted to act in South Africa and to broaden my horizons so yes as a Zimbabwean acting in South Africa means a lot to me making a difference,” he said.

“But now I have achieved what l wanted. I am looking at the bigger picture.”

He was happy with the response from his fans both in Zimbabwe and South Africa.

“It makes me feel like yeah Zimbabwe is proud of me, but actually I don’t see a Zimbabwean acting in South Africa or South Africans seeing a Zimbabwean, I just see an actor doing filming and acting which l love to do the most," Galiao said.

“I am just glad and grateful that I am achieving the dreams and the goals that l set for myself and it means a lot that’s how l feel.”

Galiao is not new to TV as he was raised from being supermodel back in the day in Zimbabwe and as a teen presenter on .

He made his first appearance as an actor on a local TV series titled

The charismati­c actor was born and bred in Harare’s Ardbennie suburb and moved to South Africa in 2008.

Besides featuring in Galiao has starred in South African soapies and TV series such as and

He played a cameo role in Housewives.

 ?? ?? Jerome Galiao with his mother in Harare recently
Jerome Galiao with his mother in Harare recently
 ?? ?? DJ Vasco and Mai Patai
DJ Vasco and Mai Patai

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