WALKING
Ed ’ s Pick June 2020
With his unmissable hairstyle , it ’ s hard not to spot Reggie Hufkie in a crowd , but what makes him even more noticeable is his eyes . At times , one sees a smile playing around the edges , especially when he talks about his blossoming career as an actor and singer , or fond memories of his race walking career , now on hold . But there are also times when the hardship and tragedy of his youth show in his eyes . It ’ s an unmistakeable sadness , mixed with hardened resolve , which he says is what now drives him to follow his dreams in the world of showbiz .
Last year the 28-year-old enjoyed a breakout year in television , beginning with landing the recurring role of Luke on the SABC1 soapie , Generations : The Legacy . He followed this up with a guest role on the kykNET supernatural crime series , Die Spreeus , and later in 2019 he landed his first starring role in television , as Spanner Proes in the kykNET sitcom , Huis Lelieveld .
Before that , Reggie had made his television acting debut in 2014 , in an episode of the SABC1 sitcom Single Galz . Later that year he had another cameo role , this time in the SABC1 drama series Kowethu , and later had minor roles in the SABC2 soapie 7de Laan and the SABC3 soapie High Rollers . In 2017 he played the recurring role of Lem in the SABC2 drama series Swartwater , and in 2018 he appeared in the miniseries Liberty , but 2019 stands out as the year he really made a name for himself on TV .
Walking to
Stardom
Actor and singer Reginald Hufkie , a . k . a . Reggie Peace , is best known for his recurring role as Luke on the SABC1 soapie Generations , but few know that his current career as a performer received a kickstart thanks to his talent as a race walker . – BY SEAN FALCONER
In the meantime , his music career has steadily been taking off , with the release of his first music single in December 2018 on YouTube , followed by another six in 2019 . His musical stage name is Reggie Peace , which he says comes from the days when he was part of a musical group called Peacemaker . “ I never had peace in my life growing up , but I always wanted it . My biggest focus in the last few years has been acting , where I am getting work right now , but during the lockdown I have been really focussed on music . I felt it was time for that side of me to come out , so have been introducing myself to people . My music is all about me , what I stand for , and I want to give the message that the strength is inside you , if you move to the beat inside you . In acting , I am telling somebody else ’ s story , whereas in music I am telling my story .”
Difficult Youth
Born into the Schauderville community near Port Elizabeth , the middle child of three boys , Reggie says his family were amongst the poorest of the poor . On top of the family ’ s financial woes , tragedy struck when Reggie ’ s mother passed away in 2004 , when he was just 12 years old . “ I grew up in a small shack
Images : Courtesy Reggie Hufkie
Reggie playing Luke
in Generations
Playing Spanner in Huis Lelieveld One of Reggie ’ s music singles
44 ISSUE 136 DECEMBER 2020 / www . modernathlete . co . za