He is one of the longest-standing actors in the Durban-based drama Uzalo and he is not going anywhere, instead, he is venturing into music. This year, Simphiwe Majozi is gearing up to release more music after his single Nizobona Ngomophu which was a success in 2020. He tells ZiMoja that music is embedded in his genes even If he took a long break. "Music is part of me because of my theatre background,' Simphiwe says. "I am a dancer, and choreographer but also a musician by profession. In 2007, I released my debut Kwaito song titled Ubani then I went silent on the music front before releasing the Afropop single Nizobona Ngomophu (You reap what you sow) in 2020. I'm more comfortable as an Afro-pop singer than a rapper or Kwaito artist. I made this song during the pandemic when people didn't want to listen to the restrictions to say they need to abide by the rules.'

CELEBRATING NINE YEARS

 Simphiwe has been acting on Uzalo for nine years playing the role of Sbu Mkhathini. "I have been with them since its inception. I am 'the original day one.' I was on the first scene, the first episode, the first season, and the first face to appear on Uzalo.' Being on the show has been rewarding for him. "I'm a theatre person and coming to television has given me an opportunity to learn how TV works and it opened up my mind,' Simphiwe says the two worlds are very different. "There is no cut and paste in theatre, it's a once thing, and once you are in there is no turning back or re-do your performance.' His character on Uzalo has evolved through the years and continues to intrigue viewers. "Sbu has now started money laundering. The guy suddenly becomes rich by default and then he loses his mind, as he always does,' Simphiwe says. "People should expect a lot from him as his character has grown immensely. He is changing from being the typical Sbu and becoming one of the kingpins of Kwa-Mashu.' 

ABUSE CLAIMS

Last year was not an easy one for the actor, as he made headlines for allegedly abusing and cheating on his long-term girlfriend. DA councilor, Kekeletso Mahlelebe, opened up to City Press about the alleged abuse she endured in her relationship with Simphiwe. "Simphiwe was abusive. He cheated a couple of times, and his family was not nice to me, and he did not want to resolve anything,' she told the newspaper. Simphiwe responded to the allegations in the form of a press release denying all claims of abuse made by Kekeletso. "I would like to categorically state that I respect women very much and those that have had a chance of being in close proximity with me can attest to that. I have sisters and female colleagues and friends that are female and laying a hand on Kekeletso is one of those things that just never happened. I have never at any point in the relationship laid a hand on her.' Simphiwe went on to say that their breakup was amicable and that he loved his ex-girlfriend so much that he even took in her child as his own. In the same breath, he described Kekeletso as a pathological liar. "Which includes her continuous misrepresentation of her political position in the Democratic Alliance and her overall lifestyle, and now the malicious abuse allegations against me. I am also aware of her foundation which deals with issues that affect women including GBV, it is unfortunate that she has decided to take a serious issue affecting many women in our country by creating these serious false allegations against me which I believe is one of the ways to uplift her platform by claiming to be part of the victims at a cot to my name. I condemn this action and it is harmful to any movement for women as other women who are honest and realistic about gender-based violence in this country as it is a very serious issue.'