Fumani Shilubana

Fumani N. Shilubana (born 22 March 1980) is a South African media executive, producer, and actor. He currently serves as the chairman and chief operating officer (COO) of Shilubana Capital Holdings, a diversified investment firm with interests in media production, private transfers, agriculture, and logistics. He is also the co-founder of The South African Icon Mogul Awards (TSAIMA).

Throughout his career, Shilubana has appeared in several high-profile international productions. He worked alongside Academy Award winners Charlize Theron and Javier Bardem in the 2016 drama The Last Face, directed by Sean Penn. In 2019, he featured in the first season of the Amazon Prime/BBC fantasy series Good Omens. Most recently, he starred as Jacob in the 2024 film Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight, directed by Embeth Davidtz, which premiered at the Telluride Film Festival and Toronto International Film Festival.

In addition to his international work, Shilubana is well-known for his roles in South African cinema, including Zama Zama, My Father's War, and Kalushi: The Story of Solomon Mahlangu. He is a prominent advocate for fatherhood and intentional parenting as the founder of FatherFigureZA, a non-profit organization focused on family unity. He was also a pioneer in Xitsonga-language media, having previously launched the indigenous news bulletin Yerhu News in 2022.

Early life Born on 22 March 1980 in Shiluvana, Tzaneen, Limpopo, South Africa, Shilubana was delivered at Douglas Smith Hospital, a missionary facility in his village. His birth was complicated by the umbilical cord being wrapped around his neck, resulting in early speech difficulties that he later overcame through intensive training in Speech and Drama.

His father, Clifford Shilubana, served as the school headmaster at Mlungisi Primary School, while his mother, Nsatimuni Mundhlovu—a Mozambican-South African—worked as a nurse at Shiluvana Hospital. Shilubana's maternal lineage traces back to Magudu, Mozambique; he is the great-grandson of Pontia Mundhlovu and the grandson of Abilio Pontia Mundhlovu and Anah Musirindzi Nkovana.

Paternally, Shilubana is a direct descendant of the Nkuna royal house. He is the great-grandson of Dududu Shilubana, the younger brother of Hosi Muhlava I (Muhlava Shilubana). Dududu was married to Nhunguti as his first wife. Shilubana is the grandson of John Magutsu Shilubana— who was married to Asnat Ntsanwisi. He has two younger sisters, Labani Mgimeti and Kumani Shilubana, and an older brother, Tebogo Maake.

Personal life

Family and Advocacy Shilubana is a dedicated father of three children: Vulani Pontia, Nganakati-Nsuku, and Fumani Nkateko Shilubana. Beyond his professional career, he is a prominent advocate for intentional fatherhood and family unity. He served as a columnist for the national magazine Mamas and Papas, where he authored a dedicated column titled "Deconstruct to Construct," focusing on the evolving role of fathers in modern South African society. He is also the founder of FatherFigureZA, a non-profit organization focused on mentorship and restoring the presence of father figures in local communities.

Education and Early Athletics Shilubana matriculated in 1998 at Mathews Phosa College in Mpumalanga. His early academic journey was characterized by a search for his professional calling; he initially enrolled at the University of Venda in 1999 to study for a Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Agriculture, and later in 2000 for Industrial Engineering at the Tshwane University of Technology. He ultimately chose to pivot toward the arts, enrolling in the Speech and Drama Program at the South African State Theatre under the mentorship of acclaimed playwright and director Mpumelelo Paul Grootboom.

In his youth, Shilubana was a versatile athlete. He began playing basketball at age 15, teaching himself the technicalities of the sport through a rule book provided by his mother. By age 19, his proficiency led to his selection for the University of Limpopo trials, where he was chosen to represent the Limpopo Province senior men's team at the SASSU games in Cape Town. Additionally, he served as the first-choice goalkeeper for his high school soccer team and soccer team at the University of Venda, demonstrating early leadership and defensive capabilities on the field.

"No Get Off" and Cultural Advocacy

In 2026, Shilubana wrote and composed the World Cup African football anthem "No Get Off", performed by Soul Da Southa featuring Mr Seven Keys and N’wa Khambani. The song was released on the 8th May 2026 during the build-up to the 2026 FIFA World Cup and was inspired by the historic expansion of African representation at the tournament, with the Confederation of African Football (CAF) receiving nine guaranteed qualification spots and one intercontinental playoff opportunity for the first time in FIFA World Cup history.

The title "No Get Off", derived from West African pidgin English, translates loosely to "we are here to stay" or "we are not leaving". According to Shilubana, the song was conceived as a celebration of African progress in global football and as a response to the continent’s historical underrepresentation at previous FIFA World Cups.

The multilingual anthem incorporates English, Pidgin English, French, Arabic, Wolof, Twi, Xitsonga and Nguni linguistic influences, reflecting cultural unity across the African continent. The song references both African football legends and current and active players, including Roger Milla, George Weah, Jay-Jay Okocha, Nwankwo Kanu, Lucas Radebe, Didier Drogba, Riyad Mahrez, Mohamed Salah, Achraf Hakimi, Sadio Mané and Relebohile Mofokeng.

Following its release, "No Get Off" was promoted through a national radio and digital campaign that included interviews on Capricorn FM, Power 98.7, SAFM and other South African radio platforms, alongside school activations, football-themed social media campaigns and community outreach initiatives.

The song was distributed on major streaming platforms including Apple Music and Spotify.

Career

2000–2004: The Genesis and "The Star Search" In late 2000, Shilubana entered a modeling competition at Tzaneen Mall, leading to his selection as one of 20 finalists nationwide to train in Italy. While preparing for the international trip, a chance encounter at the South African State Theatre with drama facilitator Irene Mathe led to his first casting in a stage play. Despite initial pressure to continue his studies in Industrial Engineering, Shilubana committed to the arts, earning a speech and drama certificate while supporting himself as a waiter.

Between 2002 and 2004, he transitioned to professional acting under the mentorship of Paul Grootboom at the State Theatre. Alongside peers such as Presley Chweneyagae and Zenzo Ngqobe, he underwent rigorous classical training, performing in Shakespearean works and workshopping original South African plays, including the critically acclaimed Relativity: Township Stories.

2005–2010: Professional Breakthroughs and International Tours By the fourth year of his training, the program began integrating professional actors into their productions, allowing young actors like Shilubana to learn from seasoned industry professionals. This exposure led to Shilubana securing representation with Stark Raving Management.

In 2005, Relativity: Township Stories—co-written and directed by Mpumelelo Paul Grootboom—opened at the National Arts Festival to critical acclaim. Shilubana's performance as "Rocks" earned him a Naledi Theatre Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor in 2006. This production marked the beginning of a prolific international touring period for Shilubana. Under Grootboom's direction, he toured the United Kingdom and the Netherlands with Township Stories in 2006.

In 2007, he toured Belgium with the production Telling Stories. This was followed by the controversial production of Cards, which featured provocative themes and toured internationally. Between 2009 and 2010, Shilubana toured Germany, the Netherlands, and the UK again with the production Welcome to Rocksburg. These international tours established Shilubana as a versatile performer capable of handling the gritty, "Township Tarantino" style for which Grootboom became famous.

Throughout this period, Shilubana balanced global stage performances with local television roles, including appearances in Hillside, Soul City, and Death of a Queen. His relentless pursuit of excellence culminated in 2009 with his casting in Generations, where a script error led to him performing in his native Xitsonga for the first time on a major soap opera, marking a significant turning point for indigenous language representation in South African media.

2011–2019: Television Stardom and Casting Leadership Shilubana gained widespread fame for his role as Detective Dabula in the SABC3 soap opera Isidingo (2011–2013). In 2019, he took on a dual role for the first Xitsonga telenovela, Giyani: Land of Blood; in addition to starring as Vukosi Moyo, he served as a key member of the production's casting team, helping to shape the show's ensemble.

His international film career also flourished during this time, appearing in The Last Face (2016), directed by Sean Penn, and the Amazon Prime/BBC series Good Omens (2019).

2020–present: Executive Leadership and Directorial Expansion In late 2019, Shilubana co-founded Xiculu Multimedia, shifting his focus toward executive production. In 2022, he served as the Casting Director and Co-Producer on a five-film slate for Mzansi Magic, produced by Shitshembiso Mabasa.

His directorial career expanded further in 2024 with the release of two Mzansi Magic films, Aus' Wa Magwinya and Ziphi Nkomo. He also wrote and directed the independent feature The Weight of Rirhandxu under his banner, Shiluva Film Studio. During this same period, he received international acclaim for his role as Jacob in the film Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight, directed by Embeth Davidtz, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF).

In 2026, Shilubana joined the cast of the e.tv soap opera Scandal! in the role of Vukosi Chauke, a character involved in a high-stakes redemption-focused storyline.

Shilubana currently serves as the chairman and chief operating officer (COO) of Shilubana Capital Holdings and is the co-founder of The South African Icon Mogul Awards (TSAIMA).

Voiceover and Commercials Shilubana has maintained an extensive career as a commercial brand ambassador and voice artist, representing major industrial and corporate entities. Between 2005 and 2024, he appeared in high-profile national and international television campaigns. Notably, he led major campaigns for the technology conglomerate Altron (2020) and the global hospitality leader Marriott International (2023–2024).

His commercial portfolio also includes prominent roles in advertisements for Hyundai, Capitec, Cremora, Hippo, and Spekko Rice. As a voice artist, his work is highly regarded in the financial and public sectors, having voiced campaigns and dramatic series for ABSA, Standard Bank, FNB, and the South African National Roads Agency (SANRAL). He has also been a consistent voice for the Government Communications and Information System (GCIS) and the Soul City Institute, further establishing his status as a trusted voice in South African media.

Awards and nominations

Shilubana's career is characterized by a dual recognition for his artistic excellence and his contributions as a social entrepreneur and community advocate.

Artistic recognition Shilubana received his first major critical acclaim in 2005 when he was nominated for a Naledi Theatre Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role as "Rocks" in Relativity: Township Stories. In 2016, he received his first screen acting nomination for Best Actor for his performance in Love Specialist at the F.A.M.E Awards.

Social Entrepreneurship and Leadership In addition to his film career, Shilubana is a prominent figure in South African social development, focusing on family restoration and community empowerment. In 2021, he was honored with the **365Man of the Year Award** by the Gauteng Department of Social Development, recognizing his consistent work in promoting positive masculinity and social cohesion.

In 2024, his contributions to community development were further acknowledged with the **Raising Legend Award** from the Hope Givers Foundation. This honor recognized his leadership in mentoring the next generation and his impact as a social innovator through platforms such as FatherFigureZA and TSAIMA.

Stage

Filmography Year Film Role Genre Ref. 2006 Hillside Season 1 Detective Nataniel TV series 2006 Soul City Season 7 Dumisani TV series 2006 Flashes From A Township Life Madala Short film 2007 Death of a Queen Season 1 Tsaroga TV series 2008 Hillside Season 2 Detective Nataniel TV series 2009 Generations – Season 1 Dr Mokhethi Soap Opera 2010 Muvhango Advocate Molale Soap Opera 2010 eKasi: Our Stories – Season 2 Emmanuel TV movie 2011 Ga Re Dumele – Season 2 Mayor Sitcom 2011–13 Isidingo Detective Dabula Soap Opera 2012 Over My Dead Body Svara Makoti TV movie 2012 Zama Zama Babylon Film 2013 Mj Records Producer Sitcom 2013 Naledi Lebohang TV Series 2013 Regrets Simon TV movie 2013 Skeem Saam 2 Ntsako Soap Opera 2013 High Rollers Joe TV series 2013 Let Heaven Wait Mountain Sitcom 2013 Mzansi Love Chief TV movie 2014 Thola 1 Rudzani Makwarela TV series 2015 The Message Nkosi TV movie 2015 Zabalaza (2013) – Season 3 Official Telenovela 2015 The Mayor Lead Investor TV series 2016 The Last Face Uncredited Film 2016 Kalushi: The Story of Solomon Mahlangu Lucas Mahlangu Film 2016 My Father's War Floyd Film 2016 Sokhulu & Partners Ndumiso Mthunzi TV series 2016 Isibaya Season 3 Doctor Telenovela 2016 Sounds of Silence Joe Mazo Short film 2016 The Last Tango Kalala Short film 2016 One Hundred Lives Constable Mamabolo Short film 2017 Thola 2 Rudzani Makwarela TV series 2017 Saints and Sinners Zwelethu TV series 2017 Z'bondiwe – Season 3 (The Chase) Vinnie TV series 2017 Bone of My Bones Detective Maswanganyi TV series 2017 End of The Line Samuel Short film 2018 Guilt Ezekiel Mokgopa TV series 2018 Isithembiso Season 1 Mr Mboweni Telenovela 2019 Giyani: Land of Blood Vukosi Moyo Telenovela 2019 Good Omens Uncredited TV series 2020 Mafanato 1 Percy Hlungwane TV series 2020 Five Tiger Melusi Short film 2023 Shaka Ilembe Nduku TV series 2024 Rivoningo Rivoningo's father TV movie 2024 The Drop Detective Ndlovu Film 2024 uSlim Nesonto Bra Clive Film 2024 Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight Jacob Film 2025 Go! Langa TV series 2026 The Weight of Rirhandzu Business Owner Film 2026 Scandal! Vukosi Chauke Soap Opera

Film work

Year Film NoteDirectorWriterProducerActorCreator 2016 Khomelela 2016 Straight to the Point 2020 Mafanato Minkoka Mimbiri 2022 Timbita Ta Levuxeni:JUSTICIA 2025 Aus' Wa Magwinya 2025 Ziph' Nkomo TBA The Weight of Rirhandzu TBA Raising From The Ashes TBA Under The Same Sky