Lightning in Character, Grounded in Christ: Meet the Man Behind Bolt—Thandolwethu Zondi

Before Thandolwethu ‘Olly’ Zondi graced our screens as Siya “Bolt” Gumede in Go!, he was already running a race that required more than athleticism. His race was one of faith, courage, and grace in equal measure. Whether rehearsing lines or stepping onto set, there’s a certain confidence in the way Olly moves. He knows exactly where he’s going—and why. Acting is not just performance for him, it’s purpose under pressure. And at the heart of it all, it’s his unwavering faith that keeps him grounded

As soon as Olly opens his mouth there’s just something that’s hard to describe. From the moment Olly speaks, there’s an undeniable presence—quiet, commanding, warm yet deeply focused. It’s not just about showing up. It’s about showing up with purpose. Those who have seen him in Go! can attest to that. His portrayal of Bolt is not just a character, we watch Bolt run. Not just for medals or school pride but from grief, toward freedom, and against a world that both expects him to succeed and resents him for it. The role may be fictional, but the man behind it is as real as they come.

In this conversation, we talk about what it means to rise without losing your roots, how prayer shapes performance, and why Go! was more than a career move—it was a divine confirmation. From his role to the man behind the character, Olly shares what it means to remain grounded in purpose as the world around him speeds up.

“Olly! First things first—congratulations on your performance on Go! You gave it your all and it was very evident in your craft." He smiled, slightly taken aback by the enthusiasm, but there was no mistaking the gratitude behind his eyes. I asked him the obvious: “How does it feel to be a Netflix star?” He laughed, pausing for a moment, maybe letting it settle. But what followed wasn’t about the glitz. It was deeper. “It's still surreal. can’t say I saw it happening,”

Olly didn’t take the usual path to screen stardom. His journey reads more like a tapestry than a timeline. His journey’s been like King David’s rise to greatness; unexpected, full of challenges, but always rising to the occasion. From student-athlete to gospel choir leader, to radio host and youth mentor. At this rate, he’ll have his own psalm written about him soon!

Photo: @actorspaces

Each chapter seems so different, yet somehow perfectly aligned. “When you pause and look back on it all, do you see a thread of divine intention running through your journey? Did you ever imagine that God would use all those different spaces—not just to shape your talent, but to prepare you for something greater than you even envisioned?”

He paused for a second. “It never occurred to me that God was preparing me for something,” he reflected. But as he unpacked it, the purpose became clear. “Radio gave me the ability to speak out. The choir, being an MC, taught me how to stand in front of people. Youth ministry showed me how to keep my focus when everyone’s watching. God used all these experiences to equip me.”

Listening to him, you get the sense that nothing in his life was random. Every chapter, no matter how different, was a stepping stone. With that in mind, I thought to ask when his faith became more than just belief and started guiding his steps. He didn’t hesitate. “It might seem like I’m lying,” he said, “but I think I was like 7 or 8. No one at home was saved yet. I remember this thunderstorm… A scary, loud thunderstorm,I thought we were going to die.” Most kids cry during storms. Little Olly prayed. “And since that day,” he continued, “a voice inside me always said: ‘God works.’ That voice never left.”

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He says his whole life has been like that—led. Ordered. Anchored in something beyond sight.

And that anchor? It’s the reason he can stay grounded in an industry that thrives on fast-turnaround fame and shifting identities.

“If you’re not grounded, you’re easily swayed in this industry. My relationship with Christ keeps me rooted. Ukwazi who I am, and knowing what God wants from me and knowing what I should do to keep my relationship with the Lord steady. Although I also have my shortcomings, one thing I always make sure of is that I fall back into Christ rather than falling out and losing track of what God has done for me or what Christ is to me. Also, my morals too, knowing what I want, what is for me, what isn’t.” Despite his unwavering foundation, I was interested to know if he'd ever felt the need to suppress his faith to fit in.

He paused. “I haven’t really had a moment where I felt like I had to,” he said. “But I did try to keep it moderate. Until my executive producer on Go! said, ‘Bro, you’re a firm believer. Talk about your God.’ That hit different. And then another director said something similar then it felt like confirmation that maybe I don’t have to be moderate or keep quiet, if I feel like I need to post about the Lord or talk about him I will, whenever I need to. Maybe I was going to fall into the trap of shrinking myself, but God saw it coming and eradicated it fast and very early.”

Sometimes, when we try to shrink, God sends people who remind us to stand tall.

As I listened to Olly reflect on his journey through so many different spaces—sports, leadership, media—It would be a disservice from our side to not ask what keeps him on his toes? How does he manage to maintain such consistency in the way he shows up, no matter the environment and still manage to stay true to himself while constantly evolving?

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He paused for a moment, gathering his thoughts before he shared his core belief. “The Bible says, ‘He who hopes in the Lord will have their strength renewed.’ I just show up, and I think that’s what I lead with,” he said, his voice steady with conviction. “Whatever I go through, I know the Lord will be with me. All I have to do is show up, and when I walk into a room, it’s not only my presence that fills the space. It’s the presence of the Holy Spirit too. When I walk into a room or certain spaces, and when I leave, I hear people talk about me as if I am someone of great influence, and it’s clear that it’s His presence they felt, not just mine.”

As our conversation stretched like a prayer into purpose I couldn't help but think about how deeply his faith seems to shape every step, especially when new opportunities arise. “When something exciting lands on your desk, be it a new role or opportunity—do you ever take a moment to pause and pray before jumping in? What does that check-in with God look like for you when making those kinds of decisions?”

He gave a knowing nod, like a man who’s had enough prayer meetings to see this question coming, You know that kind of nod pastors give when the choir hits the right note?

That was the nod. “100%. Before auditions, I pray. If I forget to pray before sending off an audition tape, I make sure to pray before I hit send. When I get a job or a call, I say, ‘Lord, if it’s in Your will, let me strive.’ Praying for me is like tithing. When I get paid, the first thing I spend on is my tithe. That’s my way of giving thanks and showing gratitude.”

He paused for a moment, reflecting. “Obviously, sometimes you forget a little and realize later that you didn’t pray for something, but I try my best to pray for and about everything in my life.” It was clear that for Olly, prayer wasn’t just a chore but an essential part of his day, an anchor that helped him navigate everything with intention. There’s something sacred in his rhythm. In how he treats every opportunity not as entitlement, but as grace. Then we circled back to Go! and the character of Bolt, an ambitious and determined young man trying to outrun his past while chasing his future. "Did Bolt teach you anything about yourself?" .

"Absolutely," he replied. "The extent to which he believed in himself—it's massive. Bolt's belief in his talent opened doors for him. And that's something I share with him. When we believe, we believe hard. I would go to hell and back for what I believe in—or, in my case, who I believe in. Even when I fall short, I still go all in. Just like Bolt."

As Olly and I discussed the power of faith, I couldn’t help but ask if there has ever been a moment where he thought something was over—but then God stepped in and flipped the script.

He chuckled softly, a knowing smile spreading across his face. “Every day. All my life, really,” He replied, his tone warm but resolute. “God is always flipping the script on me. I mean, one time that stands out is when I gave up on football. I thought that was the end of my dream. I thought, ‘There goes my dream, it’s over.’ But little did I know, God had bigger plans. He had something else in store for me, something that turned out to be the biggest highlight so far.”

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His words echoed with a quiet confidence, reminding me of the way God works in mysterious ways, often leading us to something far greater than what we could have ever imagined. As Olly shared more about his journey, I couldn’t help but marvel at how he balanced so many different aspects of his life, with his faith clearly being at the core of it all. 'Leading a gospel choir while juggling sports and leadership roles sounds like more than just multitasking; it feels almost like a form of ministry. How has music and worship shaped your connection to your faith, and in turn, helped you stay grounded?' I was curious if worship had transcended being a hobby, becoming something much deeper for him, “You have no idea what worship does to me—and for me,” he said, eyes wide with sincerity. “It’s a massive part of who I am. Honestly, I worship more than I pray. That’s why I had to join the choir. It just made sense. Worship is where I feel most at home.”

You could feel the weight of his words, not heavy— but holy. It was giving modern-day David vibes you know, the kind of praise that dances without shame and sings even in the shadows.

A light chuckle escaped me as I felt the connection—no, not the kind David might've felt when he first laid eyes on Bathsheba, but the kind that comes from someone who also relates as a fellow worshipper-in-chief. “Alright, Psalmist-in-the-making—who’s on your worship playlist right now?”

Without skipping a beat, He lit up again, “Sbu Noah, without a doubt. I’ve also just discovered Oncemore Six from Mmuso Church—what a voice, what a writer! And, of course, Andile kaMajola. He never misses.” In that moment, it wasn’t just a conversation—it was a testimony wrapped in rhythm, with Olly’s faith singing the loudest. As he spoke about music and worship, it was clear that Olly draws strength from something deeper than talent. His calm presence made me curious about the foundations beneath it. I asked what spiritual habits help him stay connected to that stillness while navigating the noise of the industry.

The response was immediate and full of conviction. “That would be me talking about God on my public platform. It also helps in keeping me grounded. I like posting, and best believe I’ll post about my God. It’s my way of giving Him praise outside of worshipping.” His approach to staying grounded was both simple and powerful—sharing his faith with others.

As our conversation shifted to Easter, I wanted to explore the deeper significance of this sacred time in his life. “What does the resurrection mean to you and how do you reflect on that in your own life? Have you had any 'resurrection' moments in your life?” His eyes focused, and I could tell that the question wasn’t just another interview prompt for him—it was deeply personal. “For me, Passover is the most important weekend of the year. Iyona weekend enkulu leyo,” he said with reverence. “We celebrate the death of Jesus Christ, which ultimately saved us all. The death of Jesus was the turning point of history. I wouldn’t be here if Jesus didn’t die for me. My sins wouldn’t be forgiven. So, when we celebrate it, you have to reflect on that.”

As he transitioned to the second part of the question about his own 'resurrection' moments, Olly paused, taking a moment to gather his thoughts. He hesitated before continuing, the weight of his words evident. "There have been so many times I’ve felt like God showed up for me in a big way. In 2023, I was in a car accident that, when I think about it, could’ve taken my life—but it didn’t. That’s just one instance." The silence that followed carried the gravity of his experiences, a stark reminder of how faith has both guided and protected him through difficult moments.

So how does this young man stay humble when the world starts clapping?

His response? Heartfelt! and his words carried a wisdom that seemed to guide him in every aspect of his life. “Knowing that the world is not really clapping for your might or what you did, but they are clapping for what the Lord has done,” he began. “If I always know that my performance in Go! wasn’t because of me, but because of His grace, then I know that when the world claps, it’s not for me, but for what God has done. So, I can’t take the praise.”

He paused, reflecting on the humility that guides him. “Understanding that even through acting, when I step into character, whatever performance I give, it’s God working through me—helps. Thinking of myself as a vessel that God is using, understanding that it’s through me that umsebenzi ka Nkulunkulu is being done not by me nor for me helps me understand that when people clap, it’s not because of Olly Zondi, but because of what the Lord Jesus Christ has done for Olly Zondi.”

“There’s a verse in the Bible that says when people see your work, they should give glory to your Father in heaven,” he said. His words reflected that, for Olly, every part of his journey whether in front of the camera or in his everyday life—is about honoring God, not seeking glory for himself. As I followed his words like starlight .… , unsure of where this conversation would lead, but certain that wherever it leads to it will be sacred. Then it hit me, like a light bulb flickering on in my brain. I had to ask how his light shines through before others? How does his life lead others to acknowledge God's glory ?

“I hope people see what I’ve done and believe that God can do it for them too. You don’t have to be special. I was average. Working at a school. He qualifies the unqualified.You don’t need to be extraordinary or in a special position for God to do great things through and to you.”

And for those trying to serve God in spaces that don’t always welcome faith? “Always pray about it,” he said. “Even when I’m not on my knees, I talk to God. He hears me. I talk to Him about my craft, my opportunities—everything.”

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As we wrapped up our conversation, I couldn’t help but ask Olly about the wisdom that has guided him throughout his journey. “What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received that’s stayed with you no matter what stage of life you’ve been in?” I asked, eager to hear the words that have shaped him. Olly’s response was simple but profound. “The best advice I’ve ever received was, ‘Know where you come from,’” he said, his voice steady. “Knowing where you come from gives you purpose. And also, keeping in mind that everything I do is for the glory of God.”

His words lingered in the air, a reminder of how important it is to stay grounded in your roots, no matter how far you go. For Olly, it’s about understanding the bigger picture and always giving glory to the source of his strength. And when the world slows down? Outside of the lights and cameras. What does rest look like for you? How do you recharge your spirit when the world slows down for a moment? This man had been smiling through the entire interview, but this smile? It was on another level. It was the kind of smile that made you think of someone deeply in love, like the one Solomon describes in Song of Solomon 4:9. You could tell this smile wasn’t just the usual grin; it was the kind that comes when you’re truly moved, when something or someone holds a special place in your heart.

He grinned, lifting his PlayStation controller like it was the most important thing in the room. “This… two games of FIFA before bed. It really helps me wind down. I actually bought this before I even got a couch!” I couldn’t help but laugh—who buys games before furniture? But hey, priorities, right? If it works for him, I’m not here to preach. I wasn’t quite ready to end the interview, but I had to wrap it up before I found myself preaching about priorities.

So, what’s next for Olly Zondi?

“I’ve got a few productions that might premiere this year or next. And beyond that? However God wants to use me—schools, music, presenting—I’m ready. Don’t know about being a pastor though,” he laughed, “but if that’s what He wants, I won’t say no.”

It’s not every day you come across someone who’s both rising and deeply grounded. But Olly is that rare blend of ambition and authenticity. Through his words, his actions, and his work, it’s clear: he’s not just chasing a purpose—he’s living it. Olly is the kind of person who charges toward greatness and somehow makes it look effortless. His journey is a reminder that with faith, talent, and the right drive, nothing can hold you back. In a world where so many are chasing the spotlight, Olly is busy making sure the light finds him. His story is one of relentless faith and purpose, and it’s a powerful reminder for all of us to stay true to what we believe in and keep moving forward.