Hakeem Kae-Kazim is a Nigerian-born actor raised in England, but even though Wikipedia may claim he’s British, South African’s know better. Remember the Fresca commercials? “Fresca tastes like nothing, because nothing tastes like Fresca.” That’s our boy.

Hakeem cut his acting teeth in South Africa with roles on local TV shows like Mazinyo Dot Q, Soul City, and Madame & Eve, and service shoots like The Librarian, The Triangle and the Oscar-nominated Hotel Rwanda.

It was only a matter of time before he hit it big with roles in the films Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End; X-Men Origins: Wolverine; and The Fourth Kind, starring Milla Jovovich.

“Moving to Los Angeles was a good move. There’s better parts and it was a wonderful training experience for me, not to mention the fact that you’re constantly surrounded by A-listers,” he says.

What has been the highlight of his Hollywood experience? “Working with Gavin Hood on Wolverine was a lot of fun, but also inspirational. Both of us were on this huge movie and all we could really do was laugh at our situation.” Hakeem has acted in popular American television series as well, such as Lost, 24 and 24: Redemption, which was shot in South Africa. He recently returned here to appear in a local reality television show, Class Act, as a guest judge.

He says, “I had a session with these kids where I had to teach them how to be cool on camera. I was struck by the potential of these young actors and they all stuck out to me as individuals each with a unique talent to offer. I was pleasantly surprised.”

Hakeem’s advice to aspiring actors is simple. “Work at your craft and commit yourself. Be passionate.”

The actor says coming back to South Africa was like a holiday. He’s just completed work on Uwe Boll’s Darfur and is in talks to shoot another film here.

“Each time I come back to South Africa it’s usually part of a production. It’s a wonderful place to film. There are 12 productions filming here in April and this is fantastic, but local companies need to be wary of overpricing themselves.”  

Hakeem has to fly back to Los Angeles to start shooting Feet of Destiny in Maryland, about Nigerian footballer Jay Jay Okocha. He also has a part in the new season of Heroes.
Sally Fink