Before Sisanda Henna embarked on a successful career as an actor, filmmaker and success coach, he walked the halls of Union High School, Graaff-Reinet, as one of its learners.
Since matriculating from Union High School in 1999, Henna has become an award-winning actor-producer, gaining vast experience in the film value chain, from writing, directing to packaging and financing motion pictures.
He has starred, or supported, in over 40 local and international productions – from dramas to films, comedies to sitcoms, even lending his voice to animations. He has achieved great success in his chosen field – a success he attributes to his years spent at Union.
“One of my most enduring memories,” says Henna, “is that of a class History trip we went on to Cape Town. While on this trip, we were fortunate to visit Robin Island and to attend a musical at Baxter Theatre called Kat and the Kings, a life-changing experience as it turned out, that inspired me to reach for the stars through making movies, acting, writing, directing and producing.”
Henna’s career took off soon after finishing his studies. His performance in the hard-hitting, prime-time drama series Tsha Tsha (on SABC 1) garnered him the 2003 Best Actor in a Drama Duku Duku Award. Henna next starred in This Life, on SABC 3, an adaptation of the BBC drama about a group of young attorneys sharing a crowded flat, trying to launch their careers in law.
Henna’s transformation was vast and powerful, showing his versatility and excellent work ethic. Around the same period, Henna became the face of South Africa’s biggest mobile cellular network at the time, MTN – appearing in all their commercials, billboards and stills campaigns.
Henna’s star continued to rise and he went on to play a variety of roles on shows such as Hillside, Scandal, Donkerland, Soul City, City Ses’la, Zabalaza, Hustle and a popular US medical drama series, ER.
In film, Henna starred in Akin Omotoso’s short film, Rifle Road (*Cannes Official Selection 2005*), Einmal so wie ich will (a German production) and Klein Karoo (a hit Romantic comedy movie). After winning the 2005 Eastern Cape Metropolitan Young Achiever Award, Henna turned to directing and producing for a few years, working on award-winning shows such as Intersections II, Gauteng Maboneng, Gold Diggers and Greed Desire (Mzansi Magic), before returning to his first love – acting.
Over the years, Henna has also hosted and presented TV shows such as Vuk’uzenzele, All You Need Is Love and Gospel Gold and currently appears on SABC 1’s Sunday night prime time drama #Emjindini, and stars in a Canal+ drama series Agent. To add to his extensive list of accomplishments, Sisanda Henna has also served on the South African Guild of Actors Executive Committee and is a member of the Independent Producers’ Organisation (IPO) and the Independent Black Filmmakers Collective (IBFC).
Henna is also a qualified NLP Success Coach, an MC, facilitator and keynote speaker with Marie Grey & Associates.
This year’s Centenary Interschools will see Henna’s 1999 Matric class celebrate their 20th reunion.
When asked what he remembers most fondly from his time spent at Union, this celebrated actor and filmmaker became quite enthused. “My fondest memory. Oh, wow! Where does one begin? I had the best experience in high school. From playing rugby to acting in school plays, competing in the National Eisteddfod, travelling with Interact and clowning around in Science class to interesting conversations with our Accounting teacher. I’ll also never forget my English teacher, Mrs. Karen van der Merwe, mother to my best mate at school at the time, Karl van der Merwe.”
Henna continued, “I learned so much at Union. All my teachers, as well as the hostel matron and headmaster, were really amazing and each, in their own unique way, made an impact on my life. At school, I was encouraged to try new things and to do my utmost best. I played a few rugby matches for the 1st XV – a dream come true at the time – competed in athletics, was elected as Prefect as well as Deputy Head of Hostel and also served the school as a cheerleader.
“I was taught, there’s no such a thing as failure – try, experiment, do your best – that is living life to the fullest. My time spent at Union was truly an amazing couple of years!”
Pictured above: Union High School alumnus Sisanda Henna.