North Coast teacher makes global debut in local film
Lloyd Primary School teacher Sfiso Fakazi (51) has made an international breakthrough from the classroom to the silverscreen with the local film Treasure Hunt.
The film will be screened at the American Black Film Festival (ABFF) in Miami Beach, Florida, from June 11-15.
Before his leap onto the international stage, Sfiso had been dedicated to teaching Creative Arts since 2007. His passion for the arts has opened doors to acting roles in some of South Africa's most popular TV shows, including Uzalo, Imbewu, Sibongile and Dlamini and Disaster Holiday (now streaming on Netflix).
In Treasure Hunt, he plays a supporting role as a jewellery shop owner who encounters a young thug attempting to sell a stolen necklace.
Treasure Hunt, written and directed by filmmaker Chim Onyebilanma, follows the gripping journey of a reformed ex-convict who discovers a stash of jewellery hidden in a rubbish bin – only to find himself pursued by dangerous criminals.
Shot in Embo, a small township nestled within the Valley of a Thousand Hills in KwaZulu-Natal, the film captures the tension and texture of township life while telling a story with universal appeal.
The film features some of South Africa's top talent, including Moopi Mothibeli, Muzi Mthabela, Trevor Gumbi, Zane Meas and Samukele Mkhize, with cinematography by renowned international filmmaker Isaac Alongi.
Beyond acting, Sfiso also serves as a co-ordinator for the KwaDukuza circuit's quiz, drama and indigenous competitions. He sees this opportunity as a beacon of hope for his pupils, to show them that thier dreams are within reach.
'I am beyond excited to rub shoulders with acting giants in the film industry and to be an example to the pupils I teach. You can do it all if you set your mind to it. Working hard and training hard is the way to go,' he said.
Sfiso spent about a month on set, managing the delicate balance between his responsibilities as a teacher and the demands of filming.
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