Actor Sicelo Buthelezi (Toby) opens up about his Skeem Saam character

Actor Sicelo Buthelezi (Toby) opens up about his Skeem Saam character! Sicelo “Seekay” Buthelezi, known for his role on Skeem Saam, isn’t concerned about viewers’ opinions of his controversial character. Instead, he’s focused on developing his character, Tobias (Toby) Maswahla, a “bad boy” university student expelled from school for misbehavior.

Since joining the popular SABC1 telenovela on April 2, the actor’s goal has been to build a character that’s distinctive from any other role he’s played.

Tackling a Sensitive Plotline
Recently, Sicelo’s character Toby has been central to a sensitive plotline addressing issues of rape and consent, a storyline that has divided opinions among Skeem Saam viewers across South Africa. In the storyline, Toby is sentenced to 15 years in prison for raping his girlfriend, Ntswaki Rathoka, played by Lethabo Mekoa.

Sicelo, however, views his role differently, concentrating on his growth as an actor rather than the storyline’s impact on audiences.

“Creating this character and making it different from what I’m known for is my main focus,” Sicelo said. “While I understood the gravity and intensity of the storyline, my attention, as an actor, was solely on shaping the character.” For him, bringing Toby to life required a balance of commitment to the character while maintaining his own identity apart from the intense storyline.

Separating Personal Life from Acting

As a trained actor, Sicelo shared how his education at the Market Theatre has helped him to manage the challenges of portraying emotionally demanding characters without carrying that weight home.

“I graduated from the Market Theatre, and they did an excellent job teaching us how to put on a character and take it off when needed,” Sicelo explained. “Thanks to that training, I don’t have to worry about bringing a character home with me. When I’m at work, I know what I need to do, and when I’m home, I leave the character behind.”

This discipline is essential for Sicelo, especially when portraying a controversial character like Toby. His approach, he believes, is a lesson for all actors, whether they’ve had formal training or not. “It doesn’t have to be so deep that you carry the character’s burden beyond the set. At the end of the day, it’s just acting,” he said, highlighting the importance of establishing boundaries between one’s roles and personal life.

Balancing Acting and Music

In addition to his acting career, Sicelo is also working on new music. The Thembisa-born actor has long been known for his passion for music and has hinted at upcoming releases that fans can look forward to. Balancing these two creative fields, he says, is rewarding and keeps him inspired. His fans have expressed excitement over his new music, eagerly awaiting his next project.

Sicelo Buthelezi’s journey in Skeem Saam reflects not only his dedication to acting but also his commitment to self-care and balance. By choosing to focus on his craft and separate it from his personal life, he demonstrates a thoughtful approach to a career that often blurs the line between character and reality.

With his new music on the way, it’s clear that Sicelo is set on creating a unique space for himself in South Africa’s entertainment industry.