Tony Kgoroge’s star has risen steadily since winning the Vita Award for Best Upcoming Actor in 1997. He appeared in God is an African, directed by Akin Omotoso; Blood Diamond, directed by Edward Zwick; Lord of War, directed by Andrew Niccol; Hotel Rwanda, directed by Terry George; Gums & Noses, directed by Craig Freimond; and Hijack Stories, directed by Oliver Schmitz.

In December 2009, we’ll see Tony in Invictus, Clint Eastwood’s adaption of John Carlin’s Playing the Enemy. He plays Jason Shabalala, one of President Nelson Mandela’s (Morgan Freeman’s) bodyguards. Tony describes the Oscar-winning director as someone who engages with his actors. “He allows you to be free to get in to your character and make suggestions.”

Tony says he learnt a lot from Morgan, who “never missed a single line during the entire film.” The Hollywood veteran also taught him the technical aspects of the craft, such as how cameras and lighting can make you look unnatural. In January 2010, local audiences will see Tony in Skin. He plays Petrus Zwane opposite Sophie Okonedo (Mrs Mandela), a role he had trouble identifying with. “The generation portrayed in the film was not involved in politics while my generation was different. We were involved with politics from the start and were very aware of what was going on.”

Tony says that shooting on location outside Johannesburg made it easier getting into character.

“We shot in a very small town, surrounded by farms. The people there are happy, different to the people in the townships. As a township boy this really changed my mindset.”

Despite the limited budget, Tony says director Anthony Fabian brought a depth of understanding to the film, although the actor admits the film lacked the tension he believes was present during the period the film represents. “The characters act like anything is possible. That sense of danger was missing.”

Tony is currently preparing for The First Grader, directed by Justin Chadwick (The Other Boleyn Girl) about a Kenyan man who goes back to school and later helps free his country from British rule. It’s shooting in Kenya.
Sally Fink