Film, Theatre & TV
Tinotenda Chikohora
Y
ou would have been excused if
you didn’t know Leroy Gopal a
few months ago, but not after
the South African Film and
Television Awards (SAFTAs) recently held
at Gallagher Estate in Johannesburg.
You might have missed Yellow
Card (1996) back in the days, but the
probability of missing SAFTAs is very
limited given the popularity of DStv and
the mushrooming of satellite dishes.
Evidently, one can conclude that the
Zimbabwean actor’s stock continues to
rise.
Not only has he risen to secure a role
to star with renowned international actor
Samuel L Jackson in the movie ‘Kite’, but
he is testament of Zimbabwean talent in
film.
“It feels great to be recognised in an
industry I have been working in for so
long,” said Gopal after scooping the Best
Actor in a Comedy award category, for his
role as ‘Oleshe’ in Ses’Top La.
“As an artist it installs confidence and
faith that you are heading towards the
right direction. It also challenges you to
keep delivering good quality work,” he
added.
Having left Zimbabwe on tour with
Yellow Card, the young talent decided to
settle in South Africa.
“After my tour, I came back to Zimbabwe
and three months later, I moved to South
Africa to further my studies in dramatic
arts and directing. The market has not
been easy but I steadily grew into it.”
The BA Honors in Dramatic Arts
(AFDA) holder’s fame rose after
playing a demanding lead role of
Tiyane Tsumba in Yellow Card.
Prior to that, he had made his
appearance in the film industry when
he acted in Adventure Unlimited (1996)
and Choose Freedom (1998).
Yellow Card opened doors towards his
acting ability which rests upon shoulders
of many films including: Night Drive,
The Wall, HUSH, Four Days, Scared
Instinct, Through the flight of a feather,
Sirens Feast, as well as popular sitcoms
like Backstage and Jacob’s Cross.
Currently, he is shooting a film called
Green Card and also just wrapped up an
The Parade - Zimbabwe’s Most Read Lifestyle Magazine
April 2013
Page 23