HARARE - New doors continue to open for popular Zimbabwean actor Leeroy Gopal who has landed a guest role in the popular South African soapie Generations.
The affable Gopal plays the role of a chauffeur for a wealthy businessperson only identified as Mr Robert.
In his role, the popular Zimbabwean actor insults the vivacious Queen Moroka whose real name is Sophie Ndaba whenever she gets into earshot.
Though Gopal’s role in Generations is a minor one, this has not discouraged the Zimbabwean-born actor from brilliantly executing it.
Gopal is not new to the South African acting industry as he made his first major appearance on another soapie Backstage where he played the role of Duma Mzamo.
Gopal became known locally especially for his role as Tiyane Tsumba in Yellow Card, a film about teenagers.
In the film he impregnates one girl but falls in love with another.
He has appeared in other South African productions including Hola Mpinji, Home Affairs, Jozi-H, One Way and Ses’Top La.
Gopal is not the first Zimbabwean actor to appear on Generations.
Yvonne Katsande, also appeared on the soapie in August last year.
Katsande starred as a wealthy cousin of media mogul, Mawande Memela.
The local entertainment industry is not rewarding for many people and, some have decided to take their talents outside the country.
Katsande and Gopal’s glowing acting careers in South Africa mirror that of fellow Zimbabwean actor Tongai Arnold Chirisa who has made it big internationally.
Chirisa rose to prominence playing the role of Detective Trevor Davies in Zimbabwe’s first soapie Studio 263.
The actor co-stared with Leon Schuster in Mr Bones 2: Back from the Past, where he played the role of Hekule, King of Kuvukiland.
Chirisa also landed a major role as Man Friday in the series, Crusoe.
Since then he has been appearing in some major series in television history.
He made a guest appearance in NCIS: Los Angeles on M-Net in July where he played the role of an interrogator.
Most recently he appeared in the series, American Horror Story: Asylum as Miles.