By: Olwethu Xabanisa
East London born actor Chumani Pan will be playing a lead role in Ashe to Ashes, a brand new drama series to air on Etv from Monday to Thursdays at 8pm.
The Telenova which will debut tonight is based on the Namane family who own a funeral business in Thembia Township Gauteng. Feuding and drama within the family business will get South Africans talking.
Pan who grew up in Mooiplas is no stranger to our television screens. He has previously played the lead role of Malusi on popular drama Montana and has also starred as Brian on Loxion lyric including several popular TV commercials. In this new production, he plays the leading role of Monwabisi Namane, an educated young man who is the youngest of the family who doesn’t exactly get along with his father.
Every job is different to the 29-year-old drama graduate, but what remains the same is how he approaches it. “My approach is very professional and I put pride in whatever project I’m involved in. I give it all that I have, as long as I manage to have a positive influence through my work on at least one person then my job as an actor is done,’’ he said.
According to Pan, everyone has been supportive of him in this production and everything is going smoothly with no hassles so far. They are working hard as a team towards bringing the viewer top entertainment. He emphasises that it’s very hard to make a living just soley on being a full-time freelance actor. “There are hard times, in fact plenty of them but my parents have been absolutely amazing in supporting me from day one.”
He believes in the potential and has strong hopes for the Eastern Cape’s entertainment industry including the arts. “The talent is visible but unfortunately there isn’t much of the arts that is going on. However, there is always room for improvement e.g. developing art centres, film schools and creating mentorship programmes at schools. As industry professionals, especially with roots from here, we are willing to help but we just need the right people to come to party, added Pan.
The talented and humble actor who has been in this industry for nine years says it is very important to stay true and believe in yourself regardless of one’s background. “If you want to be in this industry, make sure it’s what you really want and be prepared to work hard as it is a constant struggle and hustle. Success never comes over night, one should be really patient,” he said.
Etv’s Managing Director for Channels, Monde Twala applauded Pan’s talent and said he was excited that he has finally joined the Etv family. “He will be starring alongside other fellow EC actors, Nambitha Mpumlwana and Zenande Mfeyana. We have a rivetting story to tell and we are going to tell it well with some of South Africa’s greatest talent,” said Twala.
