Out & about: Masandi gains music, film grip

By The Southern Eye | Apr. 17, 2022

Having charted into 2022 with his first single Amagate — which he released late last year after a break of self-discovery and contemplation — the rhythm and blues singer recently dropped Noma Kunzima, a follow up single from his upcoming EP (extended play) titled Kaleidoscope.

By Grant Moyo

Sandile Mfusi, a South African singer-songwriter and established motion picture actor affectionately known as Masandi, is adding value to his many-sided superior skill — in front of the cameras and behind the microphone — thanks to an ever booming South African showbiz industry filled with umpteen opportunities for every creative person with supreme talent, driving force and pristine vision.

Spurred on by his desire for reel, the versatile artist who is about to churn out his biggest surprise yet playing the role of Fanyane Fana, known also as Junior — on eTV’s fresh-cut boundary-pushing adult-only prime time drama series The Black Door — latterly made his debut on Season 8 of South African hit soap opera Uzalo, airing on SABC 1.

Born and raised in Durban, KwaZulu Natal, Masandi’s professional music pursuit began in 2009, in an all-male hip-hop collective called Niche Fam, which opened for American rapper and record executive Lil Wayne at his I Am Music Tour (2011).

2014 was the year that marked the start of his solo career, after the release of his first single Bring It Back. Masandi delivered his first body of work called Escalation EP in 2017 — which comprised music front runners like Malawian-born record producer Gemini Major, recording artist Awgust Rush, Kwaito music group Big Nuz, singer Aewon Wolf, musical artists Nana Atta, Spirit Banger, Skatta and Captain Blu (Nigeria).

Beside clinching the Red Bull Culture Clash competition as part of “Team Durban” that included musical heavyweights such as record producer and Kwaito artist DJ Tira, actor and musician NaakMusiq, Gqom music duo Distruction Boyz, as well as musical artist Duncan — Masandi also featured on the latter artist’s hit song Change For Nobody alongside multi award winning rapper Kwesta.

With a modelling and acting career that set about while pursuing a Degree in Social Sciences at the University of KwaZulu Natal, Howard College — majoring in Marketing Management and Media — Masandi has also been a part of the cast of popular South African telenovelas. His film credits include Isibaya (2013), Sugar Mama (2014), Love Lives Here (2017) and The River (2019).

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Properly executing his auditory communication, prior to reaching the Number 1 spot on Gagasi FM’s Afro-Pop Charts, last year in November Masandi released the official video of Amagate — a Zulu word meaning gates — featuring cameo appearances from South African rapper Emtee, actor Sphamandla Dhludlhu and musical artist Mawat. Directed by Monde Dube, the visuals of the record which were shot between three locations in Johannesburg, depict Masandi being questioned by a parole officer and later released from a prison sentence before making his way back to a life of freedom. Hitting the nail on the head, his brand new sound Noma Kunzima carries the message of having hope and resilience to overcome life’s struggles — even when clouded by predicament.

“Noma Kunzima is a very relatable message because I know there are people who are going through battles and struggles. This is to say, there is hope at the end of the tunnel,” Masandi said.

With his debut appearance on Uzalo having began, Masandi — who acknowledges joining the cast of the South African Film and Television Awards (Saftas) Best Soapie award-winning production, as a huge breakthrough for his career — said he is stirred up and cheerful to be embarking on this new-sprung telecast adventure.

He plays the character “Kwanda Buthelezi”, who enters KwaMashu as a driven and charming drug lord that woos “Nonka” — a role played by Umlazi-born actress Thuthuka Mthembu — into his attractive web, concealing his ulterior motives. While Masandi admits to having never played a character that is involved in illegal activities before, and does not relate to “Kwanda” much — he declares that he enjoys bringing this character to life.

Known for his goal getting persona and elbow grease good head on his shoulders, Masandi is also a part of a star-studded cast of trending South African risque telenovela The Black Door — which carries an age restriction of 18 with all the trimmings for LNSV (Language, Nudity, Sex and Violence). The saucy drama, produced by Black Brain Pictures, premiered last Monday on eTV — the first and biggest independent free-to-air television station in South Africa. Airing every week night, The Black Door is a rabble-rousing series, set in the high-stakes world of a pleasure-dome brothel, husking gripping, melodramatic and cerebral stories that will resonate with viewers.

The brothel, hidden behind a toilet paper manufacturing factory, is called The Black Door and is an exclusive private venue owned by the character “Mam Rebecca” played by South African seasoned actress, dancer, singer and director Linda Sebezo. Being the latter character’s toy-boy, Masandi who plays the role of “Junior”, is a handsome young man who loves the finer things in life.

“Junior”, who does not have a backbone but does not care, dresses well and affords his lifestyle from his sugar mommy — “Mam” Rebecca’s generous handouts. With South African media personality, socialite and dancer Zodwa Wabantu — who plays herself in the show — having recently made her cameo appearance on Thursday night (yesterday), an authentic South African plot which aims to break the stereotypes around sex and sex work has just thickened.

Salvaging victory by not giving fate marred by hesitation a sniff, Masandi will continue to sculpt his own niche within and beyond this boundary-pushing adult drama series (The Black Door), which has a smart as a whip cast of characters that will keep on dazing viewers with their cloak-and-dagger — but also slipping away the audience’s hearts with the feeling behind their narrative.

Grant Moyo is a prolific writer, innovative media personality, entrepreneur and a creative artist who is passionate about using his creative mind for the betterment of society. Follow him on Twitter: @TotemGrant