Meet Zander Adika, a versatile performer trained at South Africa’s renowned AFDA program. More than just an actor, Zander sings, dances and brings an electrifying presence that elevates every scene.
His impressive credits include Viola Davis’ Woman King, Apple TV’s Invasion, MTV Shuga Down South, and Sky Girls – Born to Fly. He now takes centre stage in Reuben Odanga’s telenovela Lazizi on Maisha Magic Plus, sharing the screen with seasoned actors Mwaniki Magerian and Helen Keli.
In this exclusive, Zander reveals the fame, the fear and the fire behind what may be his most challenging role yet.
You studied at the prestigious AFDA film program. Tell us how it prepared you for the industry.
Honestly, it was one of the most defining experiences of my career. Straight out of university, I realized just how valuable that training was. The lecturers were not just teachers; they were industry practitioners who took time to properly ground us in both theatre and screen acting.
I had the privilege of learning under some of South Africa’s finest filmmakers, including the renowned Jody Abrams (Safe House).
One of the biggest lessons I took away was understanding the technical discipline of acting for camera. I learned how to perform with three cameras trained on you at once, how to dial performances down for screen, and when to elevate them for theatre. That distinction alone changed how I approach every role.
What truly stood out was how we were trained to study storytelling. We broke down characters, reactions, and motivations. I vividly remember studying a scene from a Netflix series, focusing on how characters interacted through subtle movements, pauses, and body language.
Those small, almost invisible choices are what make performances believable. And to this day, those lessons continue to shape how I build characters and deliver performances on screen.
You have credits in American productions such as Woman King and Invasion. Tell us about this.
Landing roles on The Woman King and Invasion was a major turning point in my career. And it all happened while I was working in Cape Town. Being on those sets was a completely different experience from anything I had done before.
Everything was bigger: the setups, the shots, the scale of the sets. You could feel the weight of world-class production the moment you stepped on set.
What made it truly empowering was witnessing how people operate at the highest level of the industry. Seeing Hollywood professionals at work was incredibly inspiring. It reassured me that this level of excellence is achievable and that I belonged in that space.
Despite the long days and tough environments, it was exciting, motivating, and deeply fulfilling. Those productions pushed me, inspired me, and played a huge role in shaping my journey as an actor.
Great, shifting into the role. Preparing for the role, what would you say was your biggest challenge as you prepared for the role of Richard?
Prepared for the role? I think the biggest challenge was just.. it’s a different space than what I’m used to. So Richard is someone who’s in the corporate space. One of the biggest challenges for me would be business terminologies that he has to use a lot of the time.
So I think that was very challenging for me because I’ve never really been in a corporate space like that and saying all these words and understanding what a Q3 is, or what a business annex and operational budget. It just sounds like tongue twisters for me.
How do you typically get into character before a scene?
The director will block the scene, then we’ll rehearse it for the technical team, and then we get into costume and makeup. I think one of my best ways is definitely when I put on the costume, then go through the lines with my scene partner.
And then once I do the blocking, I think that really just helps me get more and more ready for the scene, because now I know, okay, this is how I move, this is how I want to my words, this is how I want to construct the scene.
And definitely…with amazing directors, help guide me through the preparation process.
What kind of characters are you most drawn to as an actor?
I like very intelligent characters. Those who are able to solve using their wits, are charming characters. Also action oriented characters are like I really want to do like an action movie very soon.
But I like those characters that make you feel smarter by the end of the movie or feel inspired by an end of a movie. So like even sports movies are really my favorite.
Outside of acting, you sing and dance as well. What’s your favorite genre of music and how do these passions help with acting?
If I had to pick a favorite, I’d say Kenyan pop and hip hop are at the top of my list, but I also vibe with R&B, mainstream pop—you name it. The key for me is the energy and the feeling it evokes.
Music and rhythm teach timing, emotion, and expression, while dancing helps me connect with my body, movement, and presence on screen.
When you can move naturally and feel the beat, it translates to more believable, dynamic performances in front of the camera.
How has working with Reuben Odanga on Lazizi shaped you as an artist?
Working on Lazizi has been a game-changer for me. This is only my third television show, but it’s my first telenovela and it’s taught me so much about what it takes to thrive on set.
With a huge cast, a massive crew, and a constantly changing set of characters, you quickly realize that acting isn’t just about your performance. It is about how you collaborate with everyone around you.
