Sony Pixel Power calrec Sony

Ray Neo Buso joins 7de Laan' as Zakhele - a flamboyant gay character

19/01/2022

Ray Neo Buso joins 7de Laan' as Zakhele - a flamboyant gay characterActor Ray Neo Buso has joined 7de Laan' as Zakhele Zee' Guliweyo a new gay character after Shawn Basson's death.

by Rae Seleme

19-01-2022

in SA TV and Film

Ray Neo Buso has joined 7de Laan' as Zakhele -a flamboyant new character. Image via Instagram @_rayneo

SABC2's Afrikaans soapie 7de Laan has introduced a gay character - Zakhele - a month after the death of Shawn Basson - a fan-favourite gay character.

--

Zakhele is played by newcomer Ray Neo Buso who's also made an appearance in Skeem Saam as Mapitsi Maputla's wedding choreographer.

Also read: 7de Laan': Shawn is dead or is he? Fans in utter disbelief [watch]

Welcome to our Season 23 Cast Interns, Ray Neo Buso and Daniel Coetzee

For more information on their character roles, tap #7delaan #Season23 #Zee #Uyshttps://t.co/2HEvGejSdu pic.twitter.com/02nseVIisk

7de Laan (@Real7deLaan) January 5, 2022

RAY NEO BUSO AS ZAKHELE Flamboyant actor Ray Neo Buso has joined the cast of 7de Laan as Aggie Meintjies' nephew Zakhele Zee Guliweyo a month after the role of Shawn Basson got killed.

--

Buso got into the show through the annual 7de Laan cast internship program which is in its fourth year.

The actor tells Drum Magazine in an interview that he was thrilled and excited to get the role.

The positive attitude I went into the audition with gave me a positive outcome, as an openly gay man like my character, I am ready for criticism.

He also tells the publication that he grew up in pageants and he's used to criticism and ready for it.

--

I grew up dancing where your teacher will criticise your dancing and they take it as grooming.

I joined my first agency in primary school and hearing no' often groomed me to handle the criticism.

Everything in entertainment is put out for people to enjoy and criticise and you have to take what you get.

Also read:7de Laan: What is happening Tuesday, 18 January 2022 - E277 S22

Ray Buso as Zakhele in 7de Laan'. Image via Instagram story @_rayneo GAY STORYLINES IN 7DE LAAN' 7de Laan received backlash when they showed their very first gay kiss between Shawn (De nr Reiners) and Emile (Christopher van der Westhuizen) in 2017.

Shawn Basson was DeWet Basson's (Dirk Stolz) gay son who pretended to be straight for years and was married to Lana Basson (Mila Guy0.

He and DeWet had a challenging relationship as DeWet couldn't accept him for who he is.

Zakhele got attacked two weeks by strangers and was hospitalised at Hillside Clinic when he arrived in 7de Laan.

It appears that the show is tackling bias-related violence against homosexuals through Buso's character.

The younger Visagie Uys Visagie who is son to Tanya and Werner and grandson to Augusta seems to be behind his attack.

Uys Visagie is played by Daniel Coetzee who also got into the show through the annual 7de Laan cast internship programme.

Also read: Umkhokha' actress Linda Sokhulu has joined the cast of 7de Laan'

Ray Buso as Mapitsi Maputla's choreographer in Skeem Saam'. Image via Instagram story @_rayneo Also read: Skeem Saam' actress hints at Mapitsi's wedding challenges

CLICK HERE to take part in our survey & stand a chance to WIN R5 000 in CASH!
LINK: https://www.thesouthafrican.com/culture/sa-tv-film/ray-neo-buso-joins-...
See more stories from thesouthafrican

Africa Stories

07/11/2026

NFVF CALL FOR MARKET READINESS PROGRAMME FOR SOUTH AFRICAN GAMING STUDIOS

The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) is a statutory body established to promote and develop the South African film and video industry, including animat...

13/10/2026

APPLICATIONS TO SERVE ON THE INDEPENDENT PANEL FOR THE APPOINTMENT OF THE NATIONAL FILM AND VIDEO FOUNDATION COUNCIL

The Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Mr Gayton McKenzie, invites suitably qu...

13/10/2026

NOMINATION OF CANDIDATES TO SERVE ON THE COUNCIL OF THE NATIONAL FILM AND VIDEO FOUNDATION (NFVF)

The Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Mr Gayton McKenzie, invites members of ...

02/10/2026

NFVF Announces Appointment of New Chief Executive Officer

01 October 2026 | Johannesburg, South Africa - The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), an entity of the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC), is ...

01/10/2026

Press Release: South Africa Announces Variasies op 'n Tema/Variations on a Theme as Official Selection for the 99th Annual Academy Awards

Johannesburg, South Africa, 30 September 2026 - The National Film and Video Foun...

23/09/2026

NFVF SEDIBA CREATIVE ENTERPRISE PROGRAMME CALL FOR APPLICATIONS

1. ABOUT THE PROGRAMME The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) invites applications from experienced producers who own or manage a South African product...

23/09/2026

CALL FOR THE SEVENTH PRESIDENTIAL EMPLOYMENT STIMULUS PROGRAMME(PESP 7) FOCUSED ON THE AUDIO-VISUAL INDUSTRY IS OPEN

The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) is pleased to announce the opening...

17/09/2026

Call for Applications: South African Producers to Attend the Berlinale Co-Production Market Visitors Programme 2027

The Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC), in partnership with the Nation...

09/09/2026

NFVF CALL FOR PROPOSALS: YOUTH FILMMAKER PROJECT FACILITATING COMPANY 2026

The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) invites eligible Tier 1 and 2 South African production companies to submit proposals to serve as the Facilitating ...

05/09/2026

CALL FOR ENTRIES IS NOW OPEN FOR THE 20TH ANNUAL SOUTH AFRICAN FILM & TELEVISION AWARDS (SAFTAs20) EXTENDED

The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), an agency of the Department of Sp...

18/08/2026

Call for the 20th Annual South African Film and Television Awards (SAFTAs20) Jury

The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), an agency of the Department of Sp...

15/08/2026

Press Release: NFVF Releases PESP6 Project 1, Stream1: Group 2, Stream 2 and Stream 3 Funding Approvals

14 August 2026 | Johannesburg - The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), a...

14/08/2026

Call for the 20th South African Film & Television Awards (SAFTAs20) Overall Judging Chairpersons Nominations

The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), an agency of the Department of Ar...

08/08/2026

Call for Entries Now Open for the 20th Annual South African Film & Television Awards (SAFTAs20)

The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), an agency of the Department of Sp...

28/07/2026

Six NFVF Presidential Employment Stimulus Programme (PESP)-Funded Films Selected for the 47th Durban International Film Festival (DIFF)

27 July 2026, Johannesburg - The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), an a...

20/07/2026

The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) Call for Public Screening funding applications for Cycle 1, 2026/27 financial year is Open

The NFVF, an agency of the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, has released t...

09/07/2026

Press Release: NFVF Sixth Presidential Employment Stimulus Programme (PESP6) Status Update

08 July 2026, Johannesburg - The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), an a...

06/07/2026

INVITATION FOR SOUTH AFRICAN FILMMAKERS TO SUBMIT FILMS FOR THE 99TH ANNUAL ACADEMY AWARDS (OSCARS) INTERNATIONAL FEATURE FILM CATEGORY

The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), an agency of the Department of Sp...

01/07/2026

Call for NFVF funding applications to attend Film Festivals and Markets taking place from 01 August 2026 - 31 October 2026

The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) is pleased to announce that the ca...

10/06/2026

NFVF CALL FOR FUNDING APPLICATIONS: PRODUCTION & DEVELOPMENT 2026/27

Production and Development Funding supports the creation of compelling, commercially viable, artistic and culturally relevant South African screen content. Deve...

09/06/2026

Call for Sediba Scriptwriting Training Programme Bloemfontein, Free State

The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) is a statutory body mandated to spearhead the equitable growth and development of the South African film and video...

19/05/2026

Press Release: South Africa to be celebrated as European Film Market's Country in Focus at the Berlinale 2027

Press Release 18 May 2026, Johannesburg South Africa has been selected as the...

24/04/2026

Call for NFVF funding applications to attend Film Festivals and Markets taking place from 01 30 June 2026

The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) is pleased to announce that the ca...

01/04/2026

Call for NFVF funding applications to attend Film Festivals and Markets taking place from 08 - 31 May 2026

The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) is pleased to announce that the ca...

26/03/2026

IMPORTANT FEEDBACK: PESP 6

The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), an agency of the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC), has been tasked with administering the Sixth Presi...

24/03/2026

NFVF CALL FOR PROPOSALS: FEMALE FILMMAKER PROJECT FACILITATING COMPANY 2026

The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) invites eligible Tier 1 and 2 South African production companies to submit proposals to serve as the Facilitating ...

15/03/2026

19TH ANNUAL SOUTH AFRICAN FILM AND TELEVISION AWARDS (SAFTAs) CELEBRATED THE BEST OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN FILM AND TELEVISION INDUSTRY

Johannesburg, 14 March 2026 - On 13 and 14 March 2026, the 19th Annual South Afr...

12/03/2026

19TH ANNUAL SOUTH AFRICAN FILM AND TELEVISION AWARDS (SAFTAs19) ANNOUNCES THE HOSTS FOR CRAFT AND MAIN SHOW

Johannesburg, 11 March 2026 - The 19th Annual South African Film and Television ...

03/03/2026

Sediba Scriptwriting Training Programme - Matatiele (Eastern Cape)

Click here for isiXhosa version. The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) invites aspiring and emerging filmmakers from Matatiele and surrounding areas to...

17/02/2026

The 19th Annual South African Film and Television Awards (SAFTAs19) Nominees Announced

Johannesburg, 17 February 2026 - The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), ...

09/02/2026

SAFTAs19 OPEN CALL FOR IN-MEMORIAM SEGMENT

The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), an agency of the Department of Sport, Arts, and Culture and custodian of the SAFTAs, is calling on all South Afri...

09/02/2026

CALL FOR INTERNATIONAL BURSARY APPLICATIONS FOR FILM & TV POSTGRADUATE STUDIES - 2026

The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), an agency of the Department of Sp...

09/02/2026

NFVF CALL FOR SUBMISSION FOR TRAINING PROVIDER GRANT - 2026

The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) is pleased to announce that the call for training provider submissions is open. This funding aims to award grants ...

06/02/2026

CALL FOR NOMINATION OF INDIVIDUALS TO SERVE AS ADVISORY PANEL MEMBERS FOR PRODUCTION & DEVELOPMENT

The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), an agency of the Department of Sp...

04/02/2026

NFVF ANNECY 2026 SOUTH AFRICAN ANIMATION SHOWCASE CALL

The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) invites final-year animation students to participate in an exclusive creative showcase at the Annecy International...

02/02/2026

CALL TO PARTICIPATE AT THE SERIES MANIA FORUM 2026

The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), in partnership with the French Institute of South Africa (IFAS), is calling for applications from experienced Sou...

29/01/2026

Extension of Invitation to Submit Proposals for Micro-Budget Film Projects 2026 Deadline to 2 February 2026

The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), in collaboration with a distribut...

28/01/2026

Sediba Scriptwriting Training Programme - Oudtshoorn Municipality (Second Call)

The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), in partnership with the Oudtshoorn Municipality, invites aspiring and emerging filmmakers to apply for the Sediba...

20/01/2026

19th Annual South African Film and Television Awards (SAFTAs) open the call for Discretionary Award Nominations

The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), an agency of the Department of Sp...

07/01/2026

Invitation to Submit Proposals for Micro-Budget Film Projects 2026

The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), in collaboration with a distributor, is commissioning new micro-budget fiction feature films and invites eligible...

31/10/2025

Tribute: Remembering Segomotso Keorapetse (28 May 1968 22 October 2025)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 30 October 2025 It is with great sadness that we mourn the passing of Segomotso Keorapetse, an award- winning South African television d...