The trailer for Masinga: The Calling promises a gripping journey as an exiled detective returns to his homeland in KwaZulu-Natal, forced to confront the horrific trauma of his past: the ritual murder of his young brother who had albinism, all while racing to save another young Asian girl from a similar fate.
In the title role is the internationally renowned SAFTA winner Hakeem Kae-Kazeem (Pirates of the Caribbean, Hotel Rwanda), who brings his star power to a stellar African cast, including Shamilla Miller, SAFTA winners Abdul Khoza, Fana Mokoena, Warren Masemola, and Brandon Auret, as well as Sean Cameron Michael and Mbuso Khoza.
Directed and written by Mark Engels – who won awards for both at the 2025 Simon Mabhunu Sabela Awards and The Palermo Independent International Film Festival – the film has already been praised by News24’s Joel Ontong as packing a “powerful punch” with “airtight” pacing.
To delve into the heart of this intense story, Hakeem Kae-Kazeem, an actor with over 130 IMDb credits (Lost, 24, Black Sails, Godzilla vs Kong), tells us about the role, his spiritual journey, and the importance of telling African stories.
Tell us about the character you are playing, Masinga.
I play a detective who left South Africa for England at a very young age. Having left early, he lost some of his Zulu roots—he’s essentially a Zulu man who no longer speaks the language.
The story starts when a South African girl is found dead in a London river, which ultimately leads him back to Zululand and forces him to reconnect with his father. This journey back home rekindles his spiritual calling and helps him finally cope with the loss of his brother, who was killed when Masinga was young. He reconnects not only with his Zulu heritage but also with his spiritual side.
The character deals with a lot of intense guilt. What drives that emotion?
He feels incredibly guilty for losing his brother and still doesn’t know why he was taken. His brother, who had albinism, was killed in a ritualistic manner, which traumatised both him and his father. He tried to put it out of his mind until he returned to South Africa. Then, his brother appears to him in a dream, and he begins to solve not only the new murder case but also his brother’s case.
Masinga reconnects with his Nguni heritage through visions from his ancestor. How does this spiritual element influence his decisions in the story?
It’s confusing for him initially, but eventually, it guides him. Certain things come to him in dreams and visions, and what he sees becomes clear. He learns to allow these visions to guide him in his investigation.
What kind of research did you do to prepare for this complex role?
I had a very spiritual Zulu man fly in from KZN. We had many conversations, and we also tried to speak Zulu, as I’m not quite fluent. I enjoy immersing myself in a culture and understanding its subtleties—the things that aren’t necessarily obvious. Masinga is, in many ways, an Englishman who is now trying to reconnect with his cultural roots and understand the events happening around him.
What was it like working with writer and director Mark Engels, who won awards for the film’s screenplay and direction?
It was great working with him; he’s very clear on his vision and how he wants the story to feel. It’s a good story, and I’m hoping we can turn it into a series with multiple episodes because there’s so much to explore. I love the African spirituality that comes into it.
You were surrounded by an amazing cast. What was that experience like?
It was great. Working with Abdul Khoza—he’s an amazing talent with an interesting character. Also, actors like Sean Cameron Michael and Fana Mokoena bring their immense talents to the movie. I’ve known Fana over the years; our paths have crossed quite a few times, so it’s always a pleasure to work with him. It was great to see him back in front of the camera, too; I know he took a break and went into politics.
With over 130 IMDb actor credits, what would you say has contributed to your success and longevity in the industry?
I think it’s about perseverance. There are tough times and good times, but it’s about keeping your head above water. For me, the biggest thing, and the reason I returned to South Africa to base myself here, is the idea of telling African stories from our perspective. I think that’s incredibly important. We have so many tales to share that haven’t been explored on screen. I’m thrilled to be part of bringing those stories to light.
Finally, what are you currently watching at the moment?
Shaka iLembe! The attention to detail in the storyline is something I love. I think it’s a very special show, and I hope it reaches a worldwide audience.