His excitement was palpable when he bagged a role in a drama series he’d be shooting in his hometown.
Gqeberha The Empire was going to be his chance to shine.
At the premiere of the series in Gqeberha last year, he felt 2023 was off to a great start for him.
But, unfortunately, it was short-lived.
Sharing with Drum what went wrong, Phila Madlingozi admits that he was fired by email.
Read more | Phila Madlingozi on bagging a role on new Mzansi Magic's drama series Gqeberha The Empire
“I had plans for Ntando. I wanted to use that career to give back to my people. For as long as I’ve been in Joburg, I’ve dreamt of going back home to uplift my people.”
Phila left his home province, the Eastern Cape to move to Johannesburg when he was in Grade 6 because his father, singer and songwriter Ringo Madlingozi, wanted to be with all his children from different mothers in Joburg with him.
When he finally got the chance, Phila says he passionately gave his all to the role of Ntando on Gqeberha the Empire.
Phila has, however, been replaced by Oros Mampofu after being sacked.
“Late last year, I got a nice email from production appreciating the work that I put into the role. In the same email, they told me that they are unfortunately letting me go and will be moving on with another actor.”
The 34-year-old actor says even though there was no discussion about him being let go, he knew where the root of the problem was.
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“I was very passionate with my role and had turned into an activist of sort. If there was a wardrobe malfunction, I wouldn’t agree to just settle for anything for the sake of it, I would fight to ensure that the quality of the role remains high.
“Ntando is the black sheep of the Mxenge family, he’s spoilt but also likes the streets. I know people like that, I grew up around people like that, so I know how they behave and how they dress. I also did a lot of research on the character, so I wanted to deliver the best.”
The actor and singer adds that, contrary to rumours, he got along with the crew and fellow cast members.
He also says that he’s on good terms with Tshedza pictures and would still like to work with them in future.
“I appreciate what Tshedza pictures and Phathutshedzo Makwarela have done for my people. We’re always acting in Zulu, Tswana and other people’s productions, we didn’t have our own and now we do.”
Tshedza pictures was approached for comment and had not responded by the time of publication.
Phila shares what he's currently working on.
He is now one of the hosts of the Salacious podcast airing every Sunday at 9pm on Mzansi Magic. One thing he’s never stopped working on, though, is his music.
The singer and songwriter following in his father’s footsteps tells Drum that he will continue doing music until he gets his break.
He currently has two singles out.
“Omoge is an AfroPiano song, it’s a song I did with a friend of mine from Nigeria. It’s a dance song about these girls in a club who are trying to flirt with a guy in the VIP. Igaqa le ice is a love song that everyone is going to enjoy.”
