Moretele times’ Journalist, Mangaliso Ndlangamandla, took time to talk with the Hammanskraal actor, Thapelo Aphiri, well known as ‘Javas’ in Scandal.
M.N: Let us start with you telling us a about yourself?
T.A: I was born in Hammanskraal and went to school at Makgetsi until I joined Pubby Molokwana sport academy in Joburg to pursue a career in soccer but after a while, I quit because of an injury and pursued the arts.
M.N: How did your parents influence your upbringing?
T.A: Well, my dad was a janitor at a high school and my mom was a domestic worker, they both encouraged me to study but by the time I went to university my father had already passed away, so I mostly had to make my own decisions. At that time, I was playing for Ledwaba Power Stars Football Club and it was after my injury that I strongly considered acting. The other influence is that my brother was a writer, so I started learning to write, directing and acting at an early age.
M.N: Ok. Oh so if you recall during your childhood which lessons did you learn from your parents?
T.A: Respect. You must be strong man, Irrespective of what happens in your life, you have to be strong. I have learnt from my Parents that you can get the most out of nothing as long as you are focused and strong.
M.N: Tell us more about your aspirations?
T.A: When I was at school I dreamt of nothing but playing professional football, I loved Benny McCarthy and Ronaldo, the original Ronald not Ronaldo from Portugal…so my dream was to play alongside Benny McCarthy or Ronaldo. Wen I was in matric, I was invited for trials at Supersports and I made it to the top six out of about 700 people who came for the trials, I think the Supersport coach was Pitso Mosimane by then. That is when I realised that I might have something to give in soccer so I kept on playing. When I was playing for Tuks, a cousin of mine introduced me to Mike Kambule, and I ended up being invited to play for the under 20 Power Stars.
M.N: We know that before you enrolled for a BA Degree, you were a professional soccer player for Ledwaba power stars at NFD, take us through your transition to the arts.
T.A: When I stopped playing football, it was during pre-season practice and I was a week or so from signing a new contract. The injury was bothering me because it kept on coming back and I found the bad treatment of soccer players also unbearable and I just woke up one day and decided this is it, and I quit. When I left, the plan was to take a break and I found myself back in Hammanskraal with a bit of depression and going through my old boxes. I came across old poetry and short stories books and it just came to my mind that this is what I want to do. Fortunately, there were application forms in the house and my sister gave them to me to apply. The following day I was at the University of Pretoria on the closing date for application, to get myself space to study and that is how it started.
M.N: That’s profound, take us through your acting journey, we have seen you in Shred and Dreams, Sin and Sinners and Scandal, take us through…
T.A: Well in my third year I got a big gig at a travelling show. We use to perform in schools around the country. I was broke and tired of studying and being broke (LUAGHS). So I went for auditions and got the part and left university to join the company. We traveled the country doing shows, and then from there, I went to a company called Past and got to perform in the country and other African countries like Tanzania. By then I had not graduated so I decided to go back to university to finish my degree. It was during this time that I met my agent who was looking for an actors for the shows, Home Affairs, Sins and Sinners, Shred and Dreams and Scandal. At Scandal I auditioned for Bongani’s part, I think Bongani was this guy that sexually assaulted Dintle in the show…
M.N: Yeah! yeah! I remember that guy…
T.A: Yeah! I didn’t get that part, then I few months later I got a call that I should come through and bring Javas, which was initially just a feature extra, I said nothing, I did nothing but to stand there (LUAGH)..
M.N: (LUAGHS) ok man, tell us more about the character ‘Javas’…
T.A: I’m very proud of Javas, it’s like he does not exist, the studio told me that i am going to do three part appearances. We decided to work on it and I think what led to that is because I always give it my all even when i had to say one word or two, I always give it my all. Javas is a people’s person, he is different from any other cop, he is just a guy that happens to work as a cop, you know I mean…?
M.N: Yeah! the coolest guy.
T.A: Yeah! so I wanted to give people that kind of a character not the typical strong and brave type of a cop, but just a normal guy.
M.N: We all look up to someone in life, I want to know who do you look up to as an actor and why?
T.A: Well I would say Presley Chweneyagae, from the movie Tsotsi, this is because after Tsotsi, he could have done anything he wanted but decided to focus on theater, he was never after the fame, he was more focused on theater and from what I’ve heard he turned down a lot of offers just to focus on theater. It is only now that I saw him in i Number and I think there is another movie coming out with him, so I appreciate someone who is like that, who follows what they like and who is not blown by any wind, for that, he is my role model.
M.N: Oh wow! Man you are from Hammanskraal, there might be a hopeless child dreaming of becoming an actor like you, what can you say to that child?
T.A: I would say you must find a group that you can work with and take the time to learn the skill by joining a group, if there is not any, look for people in the arts to team up with and take it further and study because talent alone is not enough. I also started classes in Ramotse on 30th of September so that i can meet young actors who are interested in the arts, even the older people. This is because I believe that there are so many stories to tell in our area and one of the best ways to do that is through the arts.
M.N: Oh! ok! nice man. You must be a man be a man of many talents hey (LUAGHS)
T.A: (LUAGHS) not really you know, it’s not just that… it’s just that many of us we are fighting to survive, and we focus on doing things that will provide survival for us. We are free enough to explore and I believe many of us have more than one capabilities.
M.N: Ok man, before we let you go, people want to know what are you up to next?
T.A: At the moment, I am still going to do some admin on my acting class, I want to check on people interested to come to the audition and am looking forward to go back to the studio to start shooting.
M.N: Thank you man we looking forward to see Hammanskraal grown talent flourish in the industry. All the best man
T.A: Thank you very much man, all the best to you too and keep up the good work guys.
