He stole our hearts as S’khalo Sibiya on Zone 14 a few years back. Now he’s back on our screens as a heart-throb, Sizo, on a new series called Mutual Friends. Neo Ntlatleng tells us how he juggles his busy life.
HOW HAS THE EXPERIENCE BEEN WORKING WITH THE CAST OF MUTUAL FRIENDS?
It has been great. It has been nice to work with my peers and with people I grew up with in the industry. I have also loved being among amazing actors and learning from legends such as Vinolia Mashego.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR CHARACTER SIZO, WHAT IS HE LIKE?
He’s a young guy who simply loves his life and his friends, and has a thing for the ladies. He attends a private school and therefore feels like he’s entitled to be proud and to do what he likes. But he also goes through some great experiences that teach him a thing or two. I can’t really relate to the character, but the one thing he and I have in common is the love for music.
WHY SHOULD PEOPLE WATCH THIS SERIES?
It’s different from any other series you would have watched before. It’s refreshing and takes everything – from the acting to the script – to a whole new level. Even I as an actor had to tap into new elements and evolve.
APART FROM ACTING YOU’RE ALSO A BUSINESS MAN, TELL US ABOUT YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH WHAT BOX?
I’m the creative director of What Box, a creative solutions agency. I run it with a few of my friends who I started the company with in 2008. It has allowed me to develop as a creative and implement another side of me.
HOW DO YOU JUGGLE WORKING FOR WHAT BOX AND ACTING?
It all just works itself out, really. When we started What Box we used our resources to make the business work. Acting was my passion and I somehow found the way to juggle both. Both have worked in my favour. But I think I’m also very fortunate to work in a creative space which allows me to do what I love.
WHAT DO YOU DO TO UNWIND?
To be honest I haven’t really had time to relax, I have been in working mode for the past two years trying to make the business a success. However, if I do unwind then I watch television series, or go to the cinema.
DO YOU HAVE A GIRLFRIEND? IF SO TELL US, WHAT DO YOU FIND SPECIAL ABOUT HER?
Yes I do have a girlfriend…(Laughs). It’s simply really, she makes me happy and that’s what makes her special to me.
WHAT WOULD BE YOUR IDEAL DATE FOR YOU AND YOUR GIRL?
A yacht date on the coast, somewhere in the middle of the Indian Ocean perhaps.
WHAT ARE YOUR THREE FAVOURITE THINGS?
My family, my work and my country.
WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR OTHER YOUNG PEOPLE WHO WISH TO FOLLOW IN YOUR FOOTSTEPS?
Know yourself, and be sure of what you want. To be phenomenal in what you do you need to know yourself, and be comfortable with who you are. Do you and focus on what you want.
So ladies, he may be off the market but we cannot help but love this loyal actor to the industry. And we give him extra credit for the work he does off screen.
