Flashback to 2023 and that divine scene in Shaka iLembe when Ntando Zondi runs around the tree as young Shaka Zulu to morph into grown-up Shaka, played by Lemogang Tsipa.
15-year-old Ntando proved his acting chops in every scene up until that point so it's no surprise that he's on the move as a 16-year-old this year.
He's been nominated in Best Newcomer category by the 2024 Simon Mabhunu Sabela Film and Television Awards and he played young Napoleon “The Butcher” Dingiswayo on the ShowMax serial killer thriller Red Ink earlier this year.
And now he'll be on
DStv's No. 1 show.
TVSA can exclusively reveal that Ntando's joining the new season of Mzansi Wethu's Sibongile & the Dlaminis, making his debut on 31 July.
He's represented by MLA, the artist agency started by the late Moonyeenn Lee, who was one of the judges on SABC1's acting reality search Class Act.
You may remember that the winners of the show were signed to her agency?
The agency hasn't represented young actors previously but this year they launched a new division called MLA Moonrise to represent and mentor "exceptionally talented children between 13 and 18."
Ntando's one of two in the division so far, alongside newcomer Liyabona Mroqoza who's had a role in the short film The Last Ranger but not on TV yet.
It'll be interesting to see what happens with each of them in the future.
As for Ntando's role in Sibongile & the Dlaminis... we'll keep you posted once we hear details.