LOYISO MacDonald is known for his role as Kagiso Khoza in Mzansi Magic’s The Queen. But growing up, he was a shy child and his mum Xoliswa Carr sent him to drama classes to build his confidence.

Loyiso sat down with the SunTeam to speak about his background and how his path to success started when his mother got him into acting at the tender age of six.

“I used to be a social misfit. I couldn’t socialise with other kids. Through the classes I overcame my shyness,” he told Daily Sun.

Loyiso’s character in The Queen is a trained soldier who kills a druglord who is after his family, but the actor said he had no idea how it felt to murder someone.

Loyiso said he started his career in the theatre and his first role was Joseph in a nativity play in primary school.


After leaving school, he acted in classic plays like Othello, Kiss of the Spider Woman and A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

Loyiso got his first big break on SABC3’s Isidingo a year after moving to Joburg from his home town of Pinetown, outside Durban.

He said his background in the theatre gave him the best possible training for a career as a television actor.

Loyiso said he had no particular formula to prepare for a new role.

“I just read the script from the beginning to the end and make sure I understand what the role is all about.

“I then double check that I’m a good fit for the story.”

His message to young actors still trying to break into the industry was to be honest with themselves.

“Ask yourself why you want to act and if it is your passion, pursue it.”