Why You Don’t Need to Sacrifice Your Passions for Your Career…

Written by Aletta Shikololo

Simon’s daring double life as a stunt performer and architect

Simon Shiyamba (29) effortlessly navigates between two contrasting worlds. When he’s not occupied with designing structures, he seamlessly transitions into the role of a fearless stunt performer and action actor, mesmerising audiences with his awe-inspiring on-screen feats.

In an exclusive interview with PulseHr, Simon shares his journey, his adventures in the cinematic realm, and his ambitious vision for the future.

Rather than labelling himself as a conventional actor, Simon prefers to identify as a stunt performer and action actor.

He explains, “With action acting, it’s not primarily focused on drama; it involves more surface-level acting. I dub myself a ‘Movie Action Actor’ capable of assuming diverse roles, including that of a villain, while executing stunts,” he candidly states.

Simon’s journey into the world of stunts started in 2016 when he was a mere 21-year-old student in China.

At that time, China faced a scarcity of black performers, and Simon’s untapped potential did not go unnoticed.

Reflecting on those early days, he recalls, “Fortunately, the people around me and those keen on featuring me in films were incredibly supportive and guided me throughout the entire process.”

Despite his initial lack of experience, Simon found himself surrounded by industry gurus who served as mentors, shaping him into the exceptional performer he is today.

“I was exceedingly fortunate due to the shortage of black performers. It forced me to learn rapidly, and that pressure played a pivotal role in shaping me into the performer I’ve become,” he said.

Simon’s impressive filmography boasts numerous appearances, particularly in China, where he starred in eight films, two of which ranked among the top 10 highest-grossing productions in China’s cinematic history. Notable titles include Wu Jing’s ‘Wolf Warrior 2,’ securing the second spot with a staggering box office revenue exceeding USD 874 million, and Dante Lam’s ‘Operation Red Sea,’ occupying the eighth position with a commendable box office revenue of over USD 579.2 million.

“I had the privilege of working alongside Donnie Yen and even had the opportunity to collaborate with Yuen Woo-Ping, the action director for ‘The Matrix, “ Simon proudly reminisces.

Simon’s dedication led him to undergo training under the renowned American stuntman Sam Hargrave, renowned for his contributions to the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

The future

Simon has grand ambitions for his dual careers. As he diligently hones his craft and strives to establish himself in the local film industry, he is also actively building his architectural portfolio and looks to gain more experience in the field of architecture. He shares, “My goal is to secure two sources of income. Additionally, I aspire to introduce the action industry to Namibia and assist budding talents in the field of stunts.”

Simon firmly believes in the untapped potential of the Namibian film industry, both at the local and international levels. He asserts, “We have the capacity to cater to our local audience and expand onto the global stage.”

Nonetheless, challenges are an inevitable part of the journey. Simon acknowledges one such challenge in the Namibian film industry: the tight scheduling of action sequences. He explains, “Action work demands time and precision. Quality necessitates time, and occasionally, schedules underestimate that fact.”

Simon eagerly anticipates three upcoming projects as part of the “Namibia to the World” campaign. He eagerly remarks, “I’m excited to witness the response of the Namibian audience to these projects. I hope to build momentum and contribute to the production of more action-packed films.”

As Simon relentlessly pursues his dreams in architecture and stunt performing, he imparts a valuable piece of advice: “Never abandon your innate talents. Even if you need to juggle multiple pursuits, if you possess a true desire, you will always find a way.”