Seasoned stage actors, drama writers and producers must fasten their seatbelts as a new kid on the block is threatening to take their places in the entertainment world. Tough-talking and experienced actor Vhulenda Neluonde, known in the entertainment industry as Mr Voice, has opened an arts school called Mutsheto Productions at Khubvi village.
Neluonde has produced actors in the mould of Dzuvha Mphaphuli from Univen FM, and one of the up-and-coming radio and television actors, Ntlonze Awanda, who played in a Tshivenda short drama called Ma Mafia, which was aired on SABC 1 last month. She played the role of Phophi.
In an exclusive interview with Neluonde on Sunday morning (23rd), he said that since 2018 he had also been teaching at Silemale Secondary School. "I also write, play and produce radio dramas. Recently, I played as Lai lai in a drama called Tsembe Tsembe on Phalaphala FM," he said.
He added that he had worked with experienced drama producers such as the legendary Lufuno Mutele, who has written and produced many television dramas in this country. "I learnt a lot from Mr Mutele when it comes to script writing," he said.
One of his students, Ntlonze Awanda, thanked Neluonde for helping her to be where she is today. "I joined his first group, Tshedza Productions, way back in 2015. I have been working with him since then. I was also one of the first actors to follow him to Mutsheto Productions. We used to compete with other community drama groups, and that has strengthened my passion and love for acting," she said.
Neluonde also organises beauty contests all around the Vhembe District, but he says the problem they have at the moment is a lack of sponsorship.
"It is very hard to work in this industry. You need a lot of resources to manage an art school. You need a hall, a car to transport actors from one place to another for practises and performances, but people are not interested in investing in the art industry. Even the local municipalities in our district are not helping us either. But when our ladies win beauty contests, they fight to welcome them home as if they helped them from the beginning," he added.
Those who are aspiring to be future actors and those who would like to partner with him can contact him at 072 807 2399.