Adriano Visagie is the entertainment industry gift that keeps on giving back.
Earning international acclaim for his award-winning role in ‘Kapana’ (2020) after his unapologetic turn in the stereotypesmashing ‘Boet & Sus’, Visagie continues his winning streak with ‘Live with Adriano Visagie’ (LWAV), an online talk show picking the brains of an international array of entertainment industry greats.
In LWAV’s digital seat last Sunday was none other Sello Maake Ka-Ncube. The celebrated South African actor of ‘The Lion King’, ‘Scandal!’, ‘Blood and Water’, ‘The Queen’ and ‘Generations’ fame, Ka- Ncube joined Visagie on Instagram Live for an intimate evening of origin stories and a master class in craft.
Offering Namibian viewers real-time access to inspiring industry icons, Visagie presents a local show with an expansive world view. Previous guests include Nollywood legend Kanayo O. Kanayo, Kenyan screen star Brenda Wairimu and South Africa’s Sthembiso ‘SK’ Khoza.
On the home front, LWAV has hosted an assortment of actors and entertainment professionals such as Girley Jazama, Pombili Shilongo, Florian Schott, Paul Da Prince, Dalton Ashikoto, Lynn Strydom and Uejaa Kazondunge.
Born as a segment featuring media personalities and influencers, Visagie narrowed the focus to the film, theatre and media landscape when the previous series ended.
“I personalised and customised it to what I know best and decided to feature those who play a vital role in front of the camera and behind the scenes of productions,” says Visagie, who has hosted LWAV on every second Sunday for about a year.
“We discuss funding, collaboration, what actors experience, the importance of African storytelling and representation as well as lessons from the guests themselves as each have their own story to share,” he says.
“The aim is to afford a valuable opportunity of learning, upskilling and collaborating through the lessons shared in the live by our guest.”
With a vision of having LWAV funded as a recurring IG Live, YouTube series or television slot, Visagie hopes to reach the creatives who need the wisdom shared on the platform most.
“I want an actor or actress from any marginalised area to have access to this information. I want them to learn from it and one day say: I am able to step into being an artist and call it my full-time job,” says Visagie, who ruminates on the highlight of his latest show.
“I really took to heart what Sello quoted: ‘An actor is an instrument for mind liberation.’ For the many times I couldn’t march, my roles as an actor have been about change. From ‘Salute’, ‘Kapana’ and ‘One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest’ to ‘Boet & Sus,” says Visagie, who is currently working on a script he hopes to cast and direct soon.
Until then, the actor, activist and entertainer hopes you’ll mark your calendar for every second Sunday at 17h00, get comfortable and tune in.
“ ‘Live with Adriano Visagie’ is for all creatives,” he says. “The lessons are unbelievable and valuable in all aspects of life.”
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