Thulani Nzonzo, a 17 year-old Zimbabwean talent, has been popping up on the Zim creative scene, especially at Reps Theatre and Saint George’s College where he learns. He is a rare talent and a pleasure to watch. The young boy has broken boundaries and has worked hard to be recognised in the drama scene from a young age. In the recent production of ‘Much Ado About Nothing’ Nzonzo played Verges, and although he was not a lead, he was memorable and funny. Zimbo Jam caught up with Thulani to find out more about this budding talent.

Who is Thulani Nzonzo?

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I am a 17 year Zimbabwean-born teenager, currently studying at St. George’s College, Harare. As far back as I can remember, my passions in life have always centred around film, television, theatre and general popular culture, however acting is my primary focus, in terms of the creative arts.

How did you get into the creative industry? 

I’ve always had a strong and significant connection to film, above any other creative medium, always craving an actual speaking role in my nursery school plays. By luck, I was introduced to actual acting at the age of 7, after having received the role of the ‘Wizard’ in my 2nd Grade production of ‘Puss in Boots’. With a simple raised eyebrow and my palm raised, inquisitively, to my chin (suggested by my incredibly supportive mother) I delivered the most memorable line of my ‘career’:

“What are you? A cat or a wizard, in disguise?”

From then on, I found great passion in giving a good performance and continued to pursue a successful future in the creative industry.

Thulani Nzonzo in his element PHOTO: Courtesy of Thulani Nzonzo
Thulani Nzonzo in his element PHOTO: Courtesy of Thulani Nzonzo

Who and what inspires you?

I’m inspired by the world around me and the people who live in it. There are so many stories to tell from so many different people that I feel need to be told, listened to, understood and appreciated and I consider it an honour to have been (and continue to be) a part of the process of letting people be heard, be it in the form of reciting a simple poem about one person’s singular experience or acting out the entire life of an incredible individual.

 Which productions have you been involved in so far, and what’s in store?

I’ve been involved in 13 ‘big’ productions, including ‘Peter Pan’ at the Reps Theatre Main Stage in 2012, where I played ‘Slightly the lost boy,’ to playing the lead in ‘The Importance of Being Earnest at the Reps Theatre Upstairs in 2014, to Theseus in ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ at HIFA in 2015 to my most recent role, playing Verges in ‘Much Ado About Nothing’.

I’ve also been involved in 12 concerts, festivals and school drama competitions. I’ve also ‘directed’ 2 small advertisements, one for a school talent show and for a website a few of my friends created, for distribution via social media platforms.

I have the upcoming St. George’s annual school play, ‘Harvey’, as my next production, where I will be playing the lead, ‘Elwood P. Dowd’, from the 28th to the 30th of July. I’m currently scripting the St. George’s Drama Club production, entitled ‘Oooooo…When the Saints!’, with hopes to make my true directorial debut with it. I am also to make my debut as an actor in film, with the upcoming teen comedy, ‘Zim High’, most likely at the end of 2016.

 What grinds your gears? 

I’ve found that very little tends to ‘grind my gears’ but if there’s anything, really, it would be a distinct lack of regard for the creative arts and cultural activities within my school and around the country. I feel as though there simply aren’t enough people taking notice of the importance of theatre, art, music, film and television both from within and outside the country.

What do you think about the arts sector in Zimbabwe? What is needed?

I think that the arts sector in Zimbabwe is bursting with incredible potential but, unfortunately, not enough is being done to push the industry and the artists forward and bring them out in to a world that acknowledges and appreciates talent and dedication.

The cast of 'Much Ado about nothing' after the play PHOTO: Courtesy of Thulani Nzonzo
The cast of ‘Much Ado about nothing’ after the play PHOTO: Courtesy of Thulani Nzonzo

Because it is the 400th year anniversary of his death I have to ask, what do you like about Shakespeare and is he relevant today?

I think that Shakespeare is, arguably, the greatest dramatist of all time in terms of how well crafted his pieces are and the incredible influence they have on today’s culture. He is most certainly relevant in today’s world as he invented a significant portion of modern English and created certain story tropes, character arcs and unique concepts that are still prevalent in many of today’s new plays, films, and television series.


If you would like to watch Thulani, check out Harvey at Saint George’s College in July!

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