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<p><strong>By Jonk WA Mashamba</strong><br /> jonkm@greateralextoday.co.za</p> <p>ZAKHELE Mthethwa (Zakes) and his eleven year-old boy, Philani Guy (GP) is a regular entertainer who kids love to hang around with. But they usually do that with their faces hidden. Zakes is the tallest guy, known as Stilts Walker, with his son next to him. He said it was not the first he revealed his face to the public, especially during his performances. “Whenever I do clowning where there are white people I reveal my face. They claim I scare them if they don’t see my face,” Asked if he was comfortable revealing his face, Zakes said, “No.” “I’m not comfortable because my branding is to hide myself.”</p> <p>Zakes is the owner of Inqanawe Entertainment Group that comprises of fifteen members. They do acting and are currently promoting their comedy DVD which he w rote. They do African traditional dance, clowning and stilts walker with balloons and handcraft (Izimbenge) When his wife passed away eleven years ago, when GP was one year and eight- month old, Zakes became both the father and mother of his boy. But the only option he had was to train his son so that he will join him when he was booked to perform. “He was only six years when I taught him how to mould or create a sword using a balloon, “says Zakes. And now his boy can make anything from a motorbike, butterfl y, and snake.</p> <p>While some kids who always meet the pair and ask for a balloon in exchange for cash, it is normal to see the tallest guy and his son playing with them at Pan African Mall. But for Zakes, it is a job that puts food on the table. “In Alex I charge R7 for a molded balloon. In Sandton and Gold Reef I charge R30, but Green Stone is R25.” Zakes is a celebrated man whose face has always graced our TV screens. He appeared on Scandal! Generations the Legacy (a journalist), Muvhango (Thandaza’s wedding), Coca Cola TV advert and in 2010 Leon Schuster’s movie, just to name but a few.</p> <p>“I am an actor, dancer, writer and director,” he proudly says. In 2015 he registered Inganawe Entertainment & Projects, working with eight girls and five boys. “We are known for pulling crowds and people love our entertaining skills.” Before he formed the group, president Jacob Zuma had already invited him to his Nkandla home in 2013 to showcase Msholozi what Zakes is all about. Zakes and his boy (a learner at Emfundisweni Primary School) lives in Alex number 154 second avenue. He admits that it was not a walk in the park to finally master his trade.</p> <p>“I fell several times when I was learning to use stilts. Sweating and dizziness was always part of package but I was not determined to quit.” But that is now history because Zakes is a well trained guy. He says that he is ready to work with any brand. “If we are talking about a crowd puller, we are talking about me. I’m willing to accommodate any company that wants to work with me.” He can be contacted on 0721746385</p>
The tallest crowd puller unmasked

By Jonk WA Mashamba
jonkm@greateralextoday.co.za

ZAKHELE Mthethwa (Zakes) and his eleven year-old boy, Philani Guy (GP) is a regular entertainer who kids love to hang around with. But they usually do that with their faces hidden. Zakes is the tallest guy, known as Stilts Walker, with his son next to him. He said it was not the first he revealed his face to the public, especially during his performances. “Whenever I do clowning where there are white people I reveal my face. They claim I scare them if they don’t see my face,” Asked if he was comfortable revealing his face, Zakes said, “No.” “I’m not comfortable because my branding is to hide myself.”

Zakes is the owner of Inqanawe Entertainment Group that comprises of fifteen members. They do acting and are currently promoting their comedy DVD which he w rote. They do African traditional dance, clowning and stilts walker with balloons and handcraft (Izimbenge) When his wife passed away eleven years ago, when GP was one year and eight- month old, Zakes became both the father and mother of his boy. But the only option he had was to train his son so that he will join him when he was booked to perform. “He was only six years when I taught him how to mould or create a sword using a balloon, “says Zakes. And now his boy can make anything from a motorbike, butterfl y, and snake.

While some kids who always meet the pair and ask for a balloon in exchange for cash, it is normal to see the tallest guy and his son playing with them at Pan African Mall. But for Zakes, it is a job that puts food on the table. “In Alex I charge R7 for a molded balloon. In Sandton and Gold Reef I charge R30, but Green Stone is R25.” Zakes is a celebrated man whose face has always graced our TV screens. He appeared on Scandal! Generations the Legacy (a journalist), Muvhango (Thandaza’s wedding), Coca Cola TV advert and in 2010 Leon Schuster’s movie, just to name but a few.

“I am an actor, dancer, writer and director,” he proudly says. In 2015 he registered Inganawe Entertainment & Projects, working with eight girls and five boys. “We are known for pulling crowds and people love our entertaining skills.” Before he formed the group, president Jacob Zuma had already invited him to his Nkandla home in 2013 to showcase Msholozi what Zakes is all about. Zakes and his boy (a learner at Emfundisweni Primary School) lives in Alex number 154 second avenue. He admits that it was not a walk in the park to finally master his trade.

“I fell several times when I was learning to use stilts. Sweating and dizziness was always part of package but I was not determined to quit.” But that is now history because Zakes is a well trained guy. He says that he is ready to work with any brand. “If we are talking about a crowd puller, we are talking about me. I’m willing to accommodate any company that wants to work with me.” He can be contacted on 0721746385

COJ
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