Veteran actor Aleck Zulu, best known for his iconic role as “Snake” in the TV drama Amakorokoza, has died at the age of 54. The cause of his death has not been disclosed.
Zulu’s passing was confirmed on Monday, 30 March, by celebrated director and actor Memory Kumbota in a Facebook post. He wrote:
“When uBhud’ Smart left to settle back home in Zambia after retirement, he said to me I need you to look after my boy since you do the same work. I don’t know if I could have, should have, or must have done better. Aleck is gone.
“Only yesterday we were chatting about his Passion Play rehearsal with youngsters of the St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic. His last act was doing God’s work. Rest in peace, mfanawami.”
A tribute to Zulu described him as “a meticulous researcher” who drew inspiration from the people and everyday life around him, bringing authenticity to every role he played.
“REST IN POWER ALECK ZULU!!! Aleck was an actor of extraordinary range and commitment. For many of us, he was the villain we loved to hate.
“He became etched into our memories as the menacing Snake in the Amakhosi soapie Amakorokoza, and as the gangly troublemaker Godogodo in Sinjalo .
“His portrayal of a thief in the drama Sister Theresa was so convincing that even members of his own Catholic congregation had to remind themselves it was just a role.
“This was the power of Aleck Zulu; he didn’t just play a character, he inhabited it completely, blurring the lines between fiction and reality.
“As the celebrated playwright Raisedon Baya noted, Aleck’s greatest asset was his commitment to his art.
“He was a meticulous researcher, drawing inspiration from the people and life around him in the community to bring authenticity to every role.
“This dedication is what made his performances so chillingly real and so captivating to watch.
“While the public often saw him as the characters he portrayed, those who knew him in the theatre world understood the depth of his growth and his generosity.
“In recent years, Aleck had become a mentor, a senior figure who cherished imparting his vast knowledge of theatre to younger actors, helping to shape the future of the art form he loved so dearly.
“He was an actor by profession, but he became a teacher and a guide by passion.
“Aleck Zulu’s journey was one of talent, complexity, and ultimately, growth. He gave us characters that will live on in our memories forever. May his soul rest in peace.”
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