LACK OF FUNDING CITED IN UZALO ACTOR INJURY

MBABANE – Lack of resources have been labelled as a major factor that resulted in former Uzalo actor falling off a cliff and breaking his leg.

Sifiso Simamane, who played the character of Captain Mthimkhulu on the famous soapie, Uzalo, closed his week with an unfortunate scenario last Thursday when he broke his ankle while filming scenes for the upcoming ‘Telutsandvo Atipheli’ local film. Simamane is the Director/Producer/Actor on the local movie set to be released next year.

The incident occurred in the afternoon while Simamane was on top of a rock at the Mbuluzi waterfalls.
“I was focused on capturing when I slipped and fell off the waterfall and landed on the rocks. My ankle broke; I could literally see my broken bone. This has been a huge setback for me, however, the show must go on. I cannot let the shooting stop due to my injury. These things are always there, they are a part of life,” Simamane said.

The famous actor, who mesmerised millions of people through his character on Uzalo, said the doctors told him he would stay off the camera for seven to eight weeks, to allow his leg to heal.

“I will be going for an operation since my bones are broken. The doctor said I needed at least a week before the operation is done since my leg is still sore.  The healing process will take over eight weeks,” he added.

Avoided

The director of the local film said such an incident would have been avoided had they received the funding they dearly needed for the shooting. Speaking while in his hospital bed at the Mbabane Government Hospital yesterday in Ward 16, he said they need the necessary resources to make sure they produced a movie that would be rated as excellent.

“We plead with companies and our stakeholders to come on board here. We need sponsors for this massive project. If we had the support, we could have easily avoided this accident. It is also a good thing that I am the one who got injured instead of the local aspiring actors and filmmakers,” the experienced actor said.
Furthermore, he thanked the local entertainment industry and his crew for the amazing support.

The writer of the storyline, Nhlanhla Nkosi, said in as much as the mood has been a sombre one, they have managed to continue with the shoot and were eager to produce the results with or without their celebrity director.

Simamane ward was buzzing with activity throughout the weekend and on Monday as members of his crew and from the entertainment scene flocked in to give him moral support. He said he would not go to South Africa for the operation as he has been impressed with the local health facilities and hospitality.
“The doctors here know what they are doing. They are taking good care of me and the facilities are good,” he said.
Warm messages from aspiring filmmakers, actors and his fans continued to dominate his ward.

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