Fumani Shilubana

Fumani N Shilubana (born 22 March 1980), is a South African actor, director and producer. He is best known for his roles in the popular films Zama Zama, My Father's War and Kalushi: The Story of Solomon Mahlangu. His the founder of FatherFigureZA, a Foundation that seeks to integrate man back into the family unit and former Chairman of Midrand Heat Basketball Club. In 2022 May 6 with Yerhu Film Commission they launched Yerhu News a Xitsonga News bulletin. every Friday at 19:00.

Fumani N Shilubana
Shilubana in 2016
Born	Fumani Nkateko Shilubana (1980-03-22) March 22, 1980 Tzaneen, South Africa
Nationality	South African
Education	Mathews Phosa College
Alma mater	The IIE's Varsity College - Sandton
Occupation(s)	Actor, Producer, Director and Businessman
Years active	2001–present
Height	1.91 m (6 ft 3 in)
Partner	Boitumelo Mboweni (2003-2005)
Children	3
Parents	Clifford Shilubana (father) Nsatimuni Mundhlovu (mother)
Awards	Mama Beka Community Award

Early life

Born on 22 March 1980 in Shiluvana, Tzaneen, Limpopo, South Africa, Shilubana was delivered at Douglas Smith Hospital, a missionary facility in his village. His birth was complicated by the umbilical cord being wrapped around his neck, resulting in early speech difficulties that he later overcame through training in Speech and Drama. His father, Clifford Shilubana, was a school headmaster at Mlungisi Primary School, while his mother, Nsatimuni Mundhlovu, a Mozambican-South African, worked as a nurse at Shiluvana Hospital. He is the great-grandson of Pontia Mundlovu and the grandson of Abilio Pontia Mundlovu and Anah Musirindzi Nkovana from Magudu, Mozambique, and is connected to the Nkuna royal family as the great-grandson of Dududu Shilubana and the grandson of John Magutsu Shilubana and Asnat Ntsanwisi. Shilubana has two younger sisters, Labani Mgimeti and Kumani Shilubana, and an older brother, Tebogo Maake, whom he met at around age 12 or 13.

Personal life

Fumani is the proud and a blessed father of three children, one boy and two girls Vulani Pontia, Nganakati-Nsuku and Fumani Nkateko Shilubana. Shilubana matriculated in 1998 at Mathews Phosa College in Mpumalanga, he enrolled at the University of Venda in 1999 to study Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Agriculture which he didn't complete and in 2000 he enrolled for Industrial Engineering at Tshwane University of Technology which he also dropped out when he wanted to pursue modelling in Italy, he also didn't go after enrolling for Speech and Drama Program at the South African State Theatre under the mentorship of the Play writer and Director Mpumelelo Paul Grootboom.

He started playing Basketball at age 15, he learnt about the game after his mother bought him a Basketball rule book, at 19 years he attended Basketball Trials at the University of Limpopo and was selected to represent Limpopo Province for the men senior team for the SASSU games at the annual tournament in Cape Town.

Career

He is well known for his role as the producer and actor in the telenovela Giyani: Land of Blood. In the series, he played the role 'Vukosi Moyo'. After the conclusion of the series, he made the appearance in the series Mafanato which he Produced and Directed.

He has also acted in the popular television series: Soul City, Generations and Isidingo. He generally speaks in Xitsonga on television, which is his mother tongue. He played the popular role 'Detective Dabula' on the SABC3 soapie Isidingo.

Shilubana made his directorial debut with Khomelela, a film he created and co-wrote also produced. This project was part of his mission to get Xitsonga films on the main stream. He raised R40 000 for the film and shot 95% of the film at Hlovani River Lodge and the rest at Nkowankowa Township. The film was screened at Nkowankowa Community Hall.

Shitshembiso Mabasa, Fumani N. Shilubana, together with Teleti Khosa own Xiculu Multimedia a 100% black owned media company that was established in December 2019. The primary function of Xiculu is the production and distribution of Xitsonga content and has produced Mafanato series on Showmax, BeingTsongaInSA doccie series podcast about the shared experience of Vatsonga in the Republic of South Africa, Minkoka Mimbirhi series, A day with a Tsonga Legend talk show, Nyambondzwani short film, Sivara series and COVID-19 Xitsonga dashboard in collaboration with Xitsonga.org all in 2020. He is currently working on a few projects, some are in post like Timbita Ta Levuxeni:JUSTICIA and notable work that is still in development which he created and wrote is Brickfiledz: 12 Extensions based on a fictional world where politics, racism and classism rules. He is developing it with Tuks Tad Lungu and Mawingu.

2000-2001: The Genesis of Fumani’s Journey – "The Star Search"

In late 2000, during a school holiday, Fumani N. Shilubana returned home and noticed a modeling competition at Tzaneen Mall. Impulsively, he entered and was selected to compete in the finals at Centurion Mall. The competition, organized by an international modeling agency, had scouted talent across South Africa, selecting 20 hopefuls—10 men and 10 women—from each province. The finalists were to be trained in Italy for six weeks. In January 2001, during the final selection, Fumani was among the chosen 20. Despite a moment of uncertainty, where he nearly missed hearing his number being called, this event marked the beginning of his journey into the arts.

Following his selection, the models were tasked with securing sponsorships for their trip and stay in Italy. Fumani moved to Nelspruit to train and maintain his physique, while also enrolling in his second year of Industrial Engineering at Technikon SA, planning to continue his studies through distance learning while pursuing his modeling career in Europe. After two months in Nelspruit, he returned to Gauteng to continue seeking sponsors and training.

During this time, while seeking sponsorships in Tshwane, Fumani had a serendipitous encounter at the State Theatre. Acting on a gut feeling, he entered the building and inquired about drama opportunities. A receptionist introduced him to Irene Mathe, a drama facilitator at TMAC, who believed Fumani suited a role in a play she had written. Encouraged by this opportunity, Fumani returned home, informed his family of his decision to drop out of engineering, and began training for the end-of-year stage play.

His training progressed successfully, leading to his casting in an industrial project teaching people about HIV, run by a community theatre group from Mamelodi. This marked his first paid acting job, earning him R100 a week. When his father discovered he had dropped out of school, he was unhappy and urged Fumani to return home. However, Fumani was resolute in his career path, finding work as a waiter at Spur in Sterland, Arcadia, to support himself.

By the end of that year, while performing in "Vukani Ma Africa," the play Irene had first mentioned, at the Rendezvous Theatre, Fumani had a defining moment. The experience of performing solidified his commitment to a career in the arts, despite the skepticism of his friends who mockingly referred to him as "Star Search." Nonetheless, he persevered and completed his speech and drama certificate.

2002-2004: Transition to Professional Acting

Convinced of his abilities, Fumani auditioned for a musical titled "The Agency and The Champion," produced by E-Productions and directed by Enrico Maart. Initially cast as "God," he was later reassigned to play "Satan," a role he embraced with creative and unconventional choices. His performance caught the attention of Paul Grootboom, who was in the process of recruiting young talent for a training program at the South African State Theatre. Despite initial misgivings, Fumani joined the program, where he quickly realized how much he had yet to learn.

Under Grootboom's guidance, alongside peers such as Presley Chweneyagae and Zenzo Ngqobe, Fumani underwent intense training, often performing scenes from Shakespeare's works, including "Hamlet" and "Julius Caesar." The group also workshopped original plays based on South African life, one of which was "In This Life," later renamed "Relativity: Township Stories." It was during this period that Fumani received his first positive review in the Pretoria News, solidifying his growing reputation.

Balancing his rigorous training with a night job as a waiter, Fumani demonstrated determination and resilience. His work ethic paid off, as he transitioned into professional acting roles.

2005-2010: Professional Success and Breakthroughs

By the fourth year of his training, the program began integrating professional actors into their productions, allowing young actors like Fumani to learn from seasoned industry professionals. This exposure led to Fumani securing representation with Stark Raving Management, recommended by the late Mahlubi Kraai.

In 2005, "Relativity: Township Stories" opened at the National Arts Festival to critical acclaim, followed by the controversial production of "Cards," which featured full nudity and provocative themes. Despite the controversy, "Cards" was a success, leading to international tours and further establishing Fumani’s career.

Throughout this period, Fumani balanced stage performances with television roles, including appearances in "Hillside," "Soul City," and "Death of a Queen." His dedication to his craft often required him to work around the clock, rehearsing for plays at night while filming TV shows during the day. His relentless pursuit of excellence culminated in 2009 with his casting in "Generations," one of South Africa’s most popular television series.

A pivotal moment occurred on set when a script error left his lines untranslated. Encouraged by the director, Fumani performed in his native Xitsonga, marking a significant turning point in his career. This moment underscored his growing confidence and solidified his place in the South African entertainment industry.

Awards and nominations

Shilubana was nominated in 2005 for the Naledi Theatre Awards for Best Supporting Role on Relativity "Township Stories". The glittering star-studded ceremony took place at the University of Johannesburg Arts Centre on Sunday 19 February 2006.

He was nominated for his first screen acting award for Best Actor for Love Specialist at the F.A.M.E Awards 2016.

In 2021, Shilubana was awarded the 365Man of the Year Award by the Gauteng Social Development Department.

In 2024, he received the Raising Legend Award, recognized by the Hope Giver Foundation, at a gala dinner in Polokwane.

Stage

Year(s)	Production	Theater	Role(s)
2001	Talk Of the Town	South African State Theatre	Thug
2001	Vukani Ma Africa	South African State Theatre	Detective
2003	Julius Caesar	South African State Theatre	Julius Caesar Citizen RomanSoldier
2003	Hamlet	South African State Theatre	Ghost Gravedigger Player King
2003	In This Life	South African State Theatre	Detective Rocks Tarven Drunk Lovemore
2005	Heartbeat	South African State Theatre	Wizard
2005/6	Relativity “township stories”	National Arts Festival, South African State Theatre, The Market Theatre, Vienna Tour	Rocks
2005/6	Cards	South African State Theatre, The Market Theatre	Leo Chauke
2007	Cards	Sand du Plessis Theatre, Windybrow Centre	Mubara
2007	Telling Stories	South African State Theatre, Belgium Tour	Madi's Father
2008	Julius Caesar	Sibikwa Arts Centre	Cassius
2008	Of Cats And Dogs	Windybrow Centre	Thabang
2009	Interacial	National Arts Festival, Poland Tour	Gert
2010	Cards	South African State Theatre	Assistant director
2009/10	Welcome To Rocksburg	South African State Theatre, Netherlands and UK Tour, Germany Tour	Detective
2013	The Good Candidate	Artscape Theatre Centre	Candidate

Filmography

Year	Film	Role	Genre	Ref.
2006	Hillside Season 1	Detective Nataniel	TV series
2006	Soul City Season 7	Dumisani	TV series
2006	Flashes From A Township Life	Madala	Short film
2007	Death of a Queen Season 1	Tsaroga	TV series
2008	Hillside Season 2	Detective Nataniel	TV series
2009	Generations - Season 1	Dr Mokhethi	Soap Opera
2010	Muvhango	Advocate Molale	Soap Opera
2010	eKasi: Our Stories - Season 2	Emmanuel	TV movie
2011	Ga Re Dumele - Season 2	Mayor	Sitcom
2011-13	Isidingo	Detective Dabula	Soap Opera
2012	Over My Dead Body	Svara Makoti	TV movie
2012	Zama Zama	Babylon	Film
2013	Mj Records	Producer	Sitcom
2013	Naledi	Lebohang	TV Series
2013	Regrets	Simon	TV movie
2013	Skeem Saam 2	Ntsako	Soap Opera
2013	High Rollers	Joe	TV series
2013	Let Heaven Wait	Mountain	Sitcom
2013	Mzansi Love	Chief	TV movie
2014	Thola 1	Rudzani Makwarela	TV series
2015	The Message	Nkosi	TV movie
2015	Zabalaza (2013) - Season 3	Official	Telenovela
2015	The Mayor	Lead Investor	TV series
2016	The Last Face	Uncredited	Film
2016	Kalushi: The Story of Solomon Mahlangu	Lucas Mahlangu	Film
2016	My Father's War	Floyd	Film
2016	Sokhulu & Partners	Ndumiso Mthunzi	TV series
2016	Isibaya Season 3	Doctor	Telenovela
2016	Sounds of Silence	Joe Mazo	Short film
2016	The Last Tango	Kalala	Short film
2016	One Hundred Lives	Constable Mamabolo	Short film
2017	Thola 2	Rudzani Makwarela	TV series
2017	Saints and Sinners	Zwelethu	TV series
2017	Z'bondiwe - Season 3 (The Chase)	Vinnie	TV series
2017	Bone of My Bones	Detective Maswanganyi	TV series
2017	End of The Line	Samuel	Short film
2018	Guilt	Ezekiel Mokgopa	TV series
2018	Isithembiso Season 1	Mr Mboweni	Telenovela
2019	Giyani: Land of Blood	Vukosi Moyo	Telenovela
2019	Good Omens	Uncredited	TV series
2020	Mafanato 1	Percy Hlungwane	TV series
2023	Shaka ILembe	Nduku	TV series
2024	The Drop	Detective Ndlovu	Film
2024	uSlim Nesonto	Bra Clive	Film
TBA	Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight	Jacob	Film

Film work

Year	Film						Note
		Director	Writer	Producer	Actor	Creator
2016	Khomelela	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes
2016	Straight To The Point	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes
2020	Mafanato	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	No
	Minkoka Mimbiri	Yes	No	Yes	No	No
2022	Timbita Ta Levuxeni:JUSTICIA	Yes	No	Yes	No	Yes
2024	Rising From The Ashes	Yes	No	Yes	No	Yes
TBA	Aus' Wa Magwinya	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
TBA	Ziph' Nkomo	Yes	No	No	No	No

External links

• Fumani Shilubana at IMDb