Sisanda Henna is back on our local screens with M-Net’s Trackers. He chats to us about what he’s been up to and his new role. By Kwanele Mathebula
Image: Sisanda Henna IG
Working behind the scenes reminded me of my passion for acting. I started off with directing one episode of the SABC 1 drama, Intersexions II. I then went on to train as a multi-camera director and showrunner at the e.tv soapie, Scandal. I also began writing a screenplay and developing a series before receiving the job to direct and produce SABC 2 sitcom, Gauteng Maboneng. I then directed the first season of e.tv drama Goal Diggers that starred Thabo Malema, Zuluboy and Fikile Mthwalo. I was so moved by their performances and reminded of my passion for acting.
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I found out about Trackers from a friend. Tim Theron, one of Deon Meyer’s producing partners, asked me to send an audition tape for the show. I had met him a few years ago when we worked together on a romantic comedy, Klein Karoo. Although I didn’t know much about the show, I was interested and excited to get back into acting.
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The scale of the production sparked my interest. Trackers is a world-class international series, and that was the first major attraction for me. I’ve worked on a lot of productions, and at the beginning of 2018, I set my sights on world-class productions for global distribution, and this was it. Also, I love thrillers.
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My character is different from any role I’ve ever played. It feels like all my previous characters were a build up to this one. Growing as a person, discovering and embracing all of me enabled me to channel Nkunzi. He’s like the Godfather inside Mandoza’s body, a mafia boss who grew up in Alexander township. The only challenge I faced with this character was staying true to his humanity, and not just playing a caricature. But, it was a lot of fun inhabiting him and vice versa.
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I am excited for the audience to watch the rest of the season. You are going to be on a thrilling adventure. The season is action-packed with incredible stunts, locations and shoot-outs. The show’s big-budget allowed the production to finesse the work.