Shilubana, who now resides in Midrand, is best known for his TV roles as detective Dabula in the popular South African TV drama, Isidingo; detective Nataniel in the TV drama series, Hillside, and as Dr Mokhethi on the ever-changing TV show, Generations.
Not completely disregarding his career in film, Shilubana has taken an unexpected turn in the limelight and initiated a foundation called FatherFigureZA.
And he told City Buzz why.
“So that I can address real issues about why we have a nation of no fathers,” Shilubana said.
“Our society blames the absent fathers too much and we are at a point where we never really look at the real reasons. We play the blame game so well that we lose focus on the real issue. Like for a child not to have a father – a mother can also contribute to that, migration labour could play a role, cultural practices etc.”
He addresses these issues with the youth of today by discussing it at various conferences, lectures and on the radio.
In addition to running FatherFigureZA, he is working on a new film.
Shilubana said, “I am working on a Tsonga film I created titled, Khomelela meaning ‘hold on’. The movie features a Tsonga cast and will be shot in a township in Nkowankowa, Limpopo, with most actors from Nkowankowa. I am the producer of the project and it will be my debut as a director.”
He said the most important work he had done in the past few years was starting the FatherFigureZA initiative, as this cause surpasses a number of the big acting projects he’s been involved in.
He also had some encouraging words for the next generation of performers in South Africa. “For aspiring entertainers, don’t come into the business with the idea of fame. If you do it, do it because you love it. And you must understand that you need to turn your talent into your business. A type of business that will affect change for the better in society.”
