Zenzelisphesihle “Sparky” Xulu, boasts  experience in a number of disciplines within  the Arts. His career began at Maritzburg College, where he played  lead  roles such as Puck in Midsummer Nights Dream, Boy in Mbongeni Ngema's Asinamali. Before stepping on the professional platform Sparky was given the best director award at Maritzburg College in 2006 and he also choreographed his schools Millennium Funk dance piece that same year.

 

He proceeded to pursue drama after high school, studying at Rhodes and at UKZN (Pietermaritzburg Campus). He had the opportunity to be directed by award winning theatre practioners such as Alex Sutherland (2012 Vice-Chancellor’s Distinguished Award winner) Madele Vermaark, Robert Haxton, Joni Barnard, Adam Steyn, Mandisa Haarhof, Di Wilson and Paul Datlen. He played lead roles in Zakes Mda's The Road, Shakespeare the Sadist by Wolfgang Bauer and Sarah Kane's Phaedra's Love. It was at University where his radio career took off to a speedy start, he began as an on-air presenter and not long before he started he had his own show, The MixLAb. Soon after that he was made the radio stations Technical Manager. He hosted many events both as an Organiser/MC and did live broadcasts all over Grahamstown and in local clubs. In 2010 and 2011, he volunteered as a dance and drama tutor and assistant director at Kwa Thintwa School For The Deaf in Inchanga.

 

Sparky, has worked as both actor and workshop facilitator for two years with the award-winning Eastern Cape professional theatre company, UBOM!, producing shows such as The Dogs Must Be Crazy, Through Blue, STDiesel and the crowd favourite HOSS, to name but a few. Amongst his diverse skill-set, Xulu has delivered key-note speeches at two Provincial School Festivals hosted in 2013.  He has also been involved in a number of collaborations with the respected Andrew Buckland and Standard Bank Ovation winner, FTH:K founder and  Rolex Mentor and Protégé Arts Initative nominee, director Rob Murray. He has danced and choreographed for the Jomba Contemporary Dance festival. His TV experience has seen him presenting Supersport Classic Clash and he managed to make the national call backs for Class Act in 2011.