Meet Hyde Park’s new actor on the block
HYDE PARK – "Both acting and radio have been great platforms for me to learn about society, who we are and how we are treating each other."
Fresh-faced South African actor and Hyde Park resident Baxolise Mfidi will soon grace the screens of South African televisions with his acting debut in eTV’s Rhythm City.
Born and bred in East London with a passion for the entertainment and the media industry, Mfidi took a leap of faith and moved out to Johannesburg after matric to pursue his studies. “There was a media position in East London but it wasn’t as evolved as it is in Gauteng, specifically in Johannesburg. I really wanted to play in a space where there was a fully-fledged and running industry,” he said.
Soon after concluding his studies at Boston Media House, Mfidi found himself getting into acting and radio, both of which have taught him so much personally and professionally. “Both acting and radio have been great platforms for me to learn about society, who we are, and how we are treating each other. The major difference is that, one is scripted and the other is unscripted, but both are rooted in great storytelling that is influenced by real lives,” said Mfidi.
The 26-year-old’s list of accolades include being one of three journalists who were selected by the British Council of South Africa to represent South Africa at the Future of News cultural programme in Glasgow in 2014, and appearing as the lead actor in radio host Unathi Nkayi’s music video for RUN in 2015.
He will soon add Rhythm City to the list when his television acting debut goes live on 26 May, a role which he admits did challenge.
“I have done stage performances before and it has prepared me for the past year as a featured actor on Rhythm City.”
Mfidi pays the role of barman and restaurant host Vukile. “Personally, I’ve also worked in environments that have challenged me in my career and now I get to use those experiences as references. I didn’t know it at the time but those same experiences were preparation for understanding and being able to play Vukile,” said Mfidi. With the hope of becoming a full-time working actor and presence in the entertainment industry, Mfidi remains open to learning and growing in both his personal and professional capacity.”
Both acting and radio have been great platforms for me to learn about society, who we are, and how we are treating each other. The major difference is that, one is scripted and the other is unscripted but both are rooted in great storytelling that is influenced by real lives.”
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