Former ‘Gomora’ Star Ntobeko Sishi Lands Leading Role in Film ‘Laundry’, SA Shares Mixed Reactions

• South African actor turned singer Ntobeko Sishi has landed a new role where he plays the lead
• Entertainment commentator Phil Mphela shared the news on X, but the reactions were not what some expected
• Peeps were mostly distracted by the direct translation of the film, saying it is not accurate at all

Talented SA actor Ntobeko Sishi has landed a leading role in a local film. The former Gomora actor is set to star in a film which is reportedly set in the 60s.

This new role will see Sishi stepping into the role of a businessman operating under the apartheid era. Something different from his usual role on the now-cancelled TV series.

Entertainment commentator Phil Mphela took to social media to share the casting news about Ntobeko's new role.

"Ntobeko Sishi leads new film. Former 'Gomora' star plays the lead as a young man struggling to save his family business under the oppressive apartheid regime in the 1960s in a new Zamo Mkhwanazi-directed movie. The film is titled 'Uhlanjululo', alternatively 'Laundry'."

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Check out the X post below:

However, the news was clouded by the film's title, where many people felt as though the Zulu word, Unhlanjululo, does not mean 'Laundry' in English.

SA slams film title

Social media users were not impressed by the movie's title, especially the translation, and they did not hold back with their scathing criticism.

@Kuhleslinde said:

"I am getting tired of this habit in Jozi where they hire anyone who claims to know the Zulu language and work with them as voice-over or translators. Why don't they hire professionals? This is killing our lan guage, translating wrong things. Laundry is not uhlanjululo in Zulu."

@tiredfeminist_ complained:

"I’m tired of these English title Zulu translation things, please. Isidingo: The Need, Uphuthu: The Maize, Inja: The Dog Bathong Lona."

@Max_Matini10 laughed:

"Lol movie and TV show names are getting out of hand apha."

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@gcobsie asked:

"Laundry ayo washing? Yooh, I'm judging them shame whoever did the translation and whoever approved it. But looking forward to it."

@TumiMashabela relayed:

"Hope it's not S-rated. I'm tired of South African films feeding us. We have good stories to tell, and sex isn't necessary, really."

@sihlesopretty remarked:

"See this thing of wanting to translate every show? They should just call it Uhlanjululo full stop."

@Deeks_Geek replied:

"Just looking at the poster, I don't need to be Zulu to know this isn't a story about laundry."

Phil Mphela even asked the Zulu-speaking people to give the correct translation, "Hao, ok my Zulu friends, what exactly does uHlanjululo mean?" It doesn't mean laundry? Should the film have been called iWashini?"

Meanwhile, some people are looking forward to the film, saying Ntobeko will nail his role.

@Teayandza said:

"Honestly, this is interesting. I would actually buy a ticket to watch this in the theatre."

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@ZiyaMusicSA said:

"Love his acting."

@Teayandza exclaimed:

"I cannot wait to watch this. This is great news. I thought he had 'retired' from acting. So happy for Sishi."

@akhona_ntully shared:

"Well deserved, he’s a star."

Ntobeko Sishi on his upbringing

In a previous report from Briefly News, Ntobeko Sishi opened up about his childhood in a candid interview on The Inside Show podcast with George Avakian.

Sishi spoke about rejection, forgiveness and healing in an episode that had peeps talking.

Source: Briefly News