Matimba Manganyi, a renowned actor and musician from Malamulele, says he wants to use his character in the SABC 2 telenovela series, Giyani: Land of Blood, to warn young people about the perils of drug abuse.
Manganyi (24), also known as Blackmyth in music circles, plays the role of Dasco Dalton Hlungwani, a talented young man with a lot of potential to make a success as a professional football player but who is struggling with drug addiction. The young actor says that, in a world where the youth are constantly exposed to all kinds of dangers and temptations, he wants to use this role as a tool to help them make informed decisions. "I want the viewers to learn how drugs can ruin young people's lives," he said.
Matimba, with his charismatic stage presence and undeniable talent, has captured the hearts of young and old alike. He had his first taste of acting at the age of six, when he partook in a Cinderella play in preschool. Throughout his following school years, he actively participated in school theatre, later representing his high school, EPP Mhinga, at local, district, provincial, and national level. After completing high school, he enrolled at City Varsity as a film and television student.
His burning passion for the arts and performance inspired him to pursue a career in acting. In 2021, he auditioned, represented by the Swift Talented Agency. "I was particularly inspired by acclaimed actors such as John Kani, who broke international boundaries specifically for South African actors," he said.
He expressed his gratitude for the mentorship he received from his colleagues, Fumani Shilubana and Charles Baloyi. "I faced some challenges in keeping up with industry standards but overcame them by working on my craft and avoiding complacency," he said.