Read More: ZAlebs Hijack: Raphael Griffiths
Raphael said he is skeptical about revealing his nationality due to the spate of xenophobic attacks many faces in the country, and he fears that people might spew hateful, and xenophobic comments towards him.
” Yes, I am half Zambian. My dad is Zambian, he is from Kitwe. Some of my family is still there in Zambia. Some have married guys from Botswana, some are married to Namibians, and some are married to Zimbabweans, others to Malawians.”
The actor says he is proud of his nationality, “My great-grandma from my father’s side was originally Portuguese. She had a bit of Angolan descent. They moved to Zambia, and that’s how my grandma came about. She married a Zambian man, and that’s how my Dad came about. My Dad married a Zulu woman and that’s how I came about. I am an African. It’s a nice mix,”
Raphael currently portrays the character of Zithulele Bhengu, on the e.tv soapie Imbewu: The Seed. The actor has left many fans impressed with his acting and his isiZulu accent especially since it’s not his native language.
Raphael is not the only foreign actor who has managed to build a successful career in the entertainment industry in Mzansi. The likes of Tino Chinyani, Sha Sha, Oskido, Nadia Nakai, and Kim Jayde also hail from other African countries.
Kim Jayde recently took a stand on xenophobic attacks while xenophobia peeped its evil head again in Mzansi. Speaking of how disappointed she was she wrote,
‘I am BOTH an IMMIGRANT & a WOMAN living in South Africa! Watching the attacks on mostly Zimbabwean & Nigerian people, my brothers and sisters BREAK MY HEART! Many of us immigrants and “foreigners” came to SA leaving behind our homes, family & friends to seek an education, a job, a better life. We are honest, hard-working people that contribute positively to the economy & pay our taxes.
