As dawn breaks over a tranquil Sunday morning, an air of excitement envelops the atmosphere as we assemble for our cover shoot in Randburg, Johannesburg. The occasion? A rendezvous with two distinguished stars gracing the screens of Netflix’s latest suspense thriller, ‘Heart of the Hunter’, adapted from the novel by Deon Meyer.

Stepping onto the set, acclaimed actors Masasa Mbangeni and Bonko Khoza exude a sense of pride, ready to delve into the depths of their latest cinematic venture. The film, which unfurls a gripping narrative, is centered around Bonko’s character, Zuko Khumalo, a former black-ops operative seeking solace in the mundane routine of a local auto shop. Yet, his tranquility is violently disrupted when his shadowy past resurfaces.

Caught in a web of deceit and political intrigue, Zuko finds himself pursued by the formidable Presidential Intelligence Agency (PIA), led by Connie Ferguson‘s character, Molebogeng Kwena, and manipulated by an ambitious presidential candidate, portrayed by Sisanda Henna.

As Zuko races against time to unravel a conspiracy threatening a presidential candidate, he must navigate treacherous waters, safeguarding his loved ones from the ruthless clutches of the PIA. Through relentless action and heart-stopping suspense, Zuko emerges as the ultimate warrior, fuelled by an unyielding resolve to vanquish his adversaries.

Amidst the adrenaline-pumping plot twists, award-winning thespian Masasa (who plays Zuko’s partner, Malime Mambi), reflects on her return to the spotlight after a brief hiatus, “Shooting ‘Heart of the Hunter’ was truly a dream come true, particularly at a time where I had taken a conscious decision to step away from the limelight, so shooting it was fun and fun doing it with you. You are not too bad, sana!” as she jested with her co-star.

For Bonko, who has become South Africa’s leading man, has had quite the eventful 2024 and we’re only just over three months in! With leading roles in major films and television shows since his breakout as the captivating Mqhele from The Wife, ‘Heart of the Hunter’ marked his first action-filled project, “It was fun, the genre, I think it brought out a different side to me,” he said. 

Though many perceive Bonko as an overnight sensation, his journey emphasizes years of dedication and toil that paved his path to success. “Like the bamboo theory, growth takes time. It may seem sudden, but it’s the culmination of years of hard work,” he reflects on his path to stardom.

Across the set, Masasa’s journey echoes a similar sentiment of perseverance and authenticity. From her early days on stage at the Johannesburg Market Theatre, to her breakthrough role as Thembeka Shezi in the popular television series Scandal!, Masasa has remained steadfast in her commitment to her craft, “I owe the world the truth,” she asserts, embracing her identity and artistic integrity.

The resilient Masasa boasts an impressive résumé, with notable guest appearances on two television series: portraying Eunice in the BBC crime drama Silent Witnesses and Jackie’s personal assistant in the M-Net soapie, Egoli. Additionally, she showcased her talent in three stage productions: Nongogo, Sundjata, and Amen Corner, all directed by James Ngcobo. 

Following her stint on Scandal!, Masasa joined the cast of the thriller series Thola for its second season, aired on SABC2. Subsequently, she portrayed the character Celia in the series Harvest. In 2011, Masasa also featured in the feature film Machine Gun Preacher.

It’s undeniable that both Bonko and Masasa possess an unwavering commitment to their craft and a careful, selective process when it comes to choosing roles that truly connect with them. However, they disclose that the journey is far from effortless, “I wish I could say, about selecting roles, I don’t know maybe you (Bonko) have a different experience but for me it still feels (over a decade) that one has to fight to exist,” Masasa explains.

“And my type of artistry, the sort of artist that I am, I still have to fight for myself to be a part of this, which is tough. It is exhausting. But, it’s par of the course, it’s the nature of the work,” she exclaimed. 

While Bonko may have initially approached the industry with eager anticipation, over time, he has evolved into a position where he can selectively choose roles he believes his talent can truly enhance the character.

“I think for me I’ve wrestled with that idea for a long time because there’s a point in your career where you don’t choose, where you can’t choose in the beginning. There was a point where, you know, I’m fresh out of college, fresh out of drama school and I was like give me a set, give me anything. I ended up doing Mzansi Bioskop, and it all worked for me at the end of the day – it was some value of experience. But now in my current life, I’m really seeing the value that I can bring to a production. So sometimes it’s less about how you wrote the character and more about what value can I bring to your character, to your story,” he shared.

As the captivating conversation draws to a close with the setting sun, Masasa (also a drama educator), who relocated to Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth) and only ventures beyond the Eastern Cape province for professional commitments, unveils the legacy she aims to imprint on the industry, guided by a single word, “I was ‘here’. That’s why I start all of my (social media) posts with ‘here’ because we think life is an infinite thing but it’s not, it’s so finite. The amount of time that we have here versus the time that we will transition…to wherever we’re going to it’s so…tiny. I want to live a life that is lived so creatively, so truthfully, for me that’s an imprint that I was ‘here’.”

As a husband and father to a baby girl, Bonko perceives that his responsibilities have escalated, recognizing the heightened stakes that come with caring for his family, “I mean I can go hungry, I can spend nights without food but my daughter can’t, so that for me makes me see the seriousness. But, I just want to do good work, I want my child to see really good work from her dad. I’ve been blessed with my resume so far and doing more good work, that’s the aim.”

These sentiments hold profound meaning, as Bonko and Masasa epitomize bold performers who unapologetically command their presence…

‘Heart of the Hunter’ is currently streaming on Netflix!

CREDITS

Cover stars: Bonko Khoza and Masasa Mbangeni

Cover story: @bonniemeslane

Editor-in-Chief & Producer: @bonniemeslane

Managing Editor & Production Assistant: @therealcelineabrahams

Photographer: @khotsotsaagane of @_rtcstudios

Makeup: @carolinegreeff

Hair: @Theroyalkindness

Wardrobe & Styling: @kgosilesego

Photography team: @_rtcstudios

Lighting Director: @king_henry_iiv

Assistant: Tshepo Zitha

Digitech: @Davidblaq

Videography: @takeover.al 

Social Media Manager: @_uthandok 

STOCKISTS: 

Noir collection suit and Ruth blouse by @davidtlale_ | Footwear by @europaart

Contour one sleeve dress by @connade_ | Footwear by @europaart 

Designer denim wear by @davidtlale | Footwear by @europaart | Accessories by @preview_accessories 

Bespoke suit by @gvllvnt | Accessories by @preview_accessories | Designer scarf by @wanderland_collective

Red one-shoulder back slit dress by @fashionnever | Footwear by @europaart