Popular singer Mnqobi Mdabe is to star in a short film called The Number which will be aired on Mzansi Magic soon.
Mdabe (pictured), better known as Shota in the music industry, is a romantic man on stage but will be playing the role of a gangster in the film.
Despite his lack of an acting background, the producers were blown away by his stage performances.
The muso-cum-actor is apparently ecstatic about his role and the response from the producers and directors was terrific.
When contacted, Shota asked Tonight to contact the producers, saying he was not allowed to com- ment. Efforts to reach one of the producers, known to us as Neo, were unsuccessful.
After releasing his debut album Afro Rawmantic last year, Shota rose to fame.
The muso is part of popular pop group Simply Hot And Naturally African (SHANA) together with Black Coffee and Demor – who will also release his solo album soon. Describing his music, Shota said he focused on his lyrics, making his songs more powerful and meaningful.
“Lyrical content is more important, it is all real and unique. I have an ability to compose different songs in one theme.”
Working with other musicians and brainstorming together was another reason his music was popular, he said.
When he was performing at DJ Tira’s club, Afro Fashion Lounge, for a Valentine’s special, women went berserk as he sang some of his popular songs, Seng’khathele, Survivor and Asisalali.
“Music is like a calling. That’s why I am struggling to perform for a small crowd, my energy is too high,” he said.
But Shota, a music graduate from the Natal Technikon (now Durban University of Technology), said he was not a natural romantic. “I am a township guy not familiar with all these romantic gestures.”
Rumour has it that there is something between Shota and singer Phumeza, but he says: “I’m in a relationship, but I prefer to keep my private life private, that’s what I’ve learned in this industry.”