His name is Antony Makatu, but in the world of music he is known as Tony Mactony. Besides being an artist, this jack of all trades has previously worked as a journalist and graphic designer, and also made several appearances in TV soaps such as SABC 2's award-winning drama, Muvhango, SABC 3's The Estate, and SABC 2's Giyani Land of Blood.
His latest achievement is being cast in the first season of The Black Door, a South African television drama series which premiered on e.tv on 11 April last year. Makatu played the role of a stern, principled, law-abiding sheriff who did not allow bribes to interfere with his work.
He said he auditioned for the role in The Black Door and received a call-back from the agent at Black Brain Pictures the very next day, offering him the role. For Makatu, this accomplishment marked the start of much bigger aspirations in his life.
Although he initially pursued a career in engineering, his passion for the media industry eventually led him to transition into that field. He studied film and television production at the VMC IT and Media Academy in 2021.
During a telephonic interview with Limpopo Mirror, Makatu talked about his flourishing career in television. "I feel great and very blessed with so many doors opening for me now. My journey has not always been easy. It is difficult when you have no connections of already established people in the industry," he said.
The late Mr Vuledzani Munyai, founder of Vule Media Group, first introduced him to professional acting. "My first role was as a gunman in a film called The Evil of Man, which was produced by Mr Munyai in 2018. It aired on Mzansi Bioskop and Mzansi Magic," he said.
Makatu also appeared in the first season of the Mzansi Magic drama, Shaka ilembe, where he played the role of a guard, alongside well-known celebrities such as Nomzamo Mbatha.
(A correction was made on the online copy as the original copy misstated the date when The Black Door premiered.)