Barberton is home to far more talent than many people realise, and singer, actor, entertainer and all-round creative Rhinus Lotz is a perfect example.
Barberton is a small town, but anyone who thinks small towns are short on talent clearly has not been looking closely enough. Living among us are people with extraordinary stories, skills and experience, and one of them is singer, actor, writer, director, narrator and entertainer Rhinus Lotz, who has made Barberton his home from 1995 to 1997, and then again from 2008.
Rhinus recently reminded local audiences of just what he can do when he took part in the talent competition at the OppiDam Musiekfees, walking away with an impressive second place. Ironically, competitions are not really his thing. “I prefer not to compete,” Rhinus told De Kaap Echo “but Pieter Rischmüller, contacted me and asked if I would like to take part in the talent competition. I decided to do it, but without any expectations.” The result surprised him. “I was very surprised and grateful. It was an incredible experience.”
For Rhinus, however, the real highlight was perhaps not the placing, but the people. “The festival-goers were incredible. The atmosphere and reaction were fantastic, and it was so good to see old friends again that I had not seen for such a long time.”
Born and raised in Nelspruit, Rhinus matriculated from Bergvlam High School in 1991. From a young age, he already knew where his heart lay. Music and acting were not simply hobbies. They were passions that would shape much of his life.
In 1997 he moved to Pretoria, and from 1999 to 2001 he studied acting, voice and group theatre at The Method Actors Training Centre, where he obtained a National Diploma. His training continued with intensive professional vocal training from 2002 to 2004, during which he participated in numerous Eisteddfods and achieved gold certificates across all categories. His career soon expanded from performing live to recording music.
In 2005, with the assistance of David Jooste, Rhinus recorded an original 12-track album, Amper daar. Two of the songs, Dis net ’n droom and Ek is vry, were aired on Radio Pretoria, while Blomme kinders was played on All-Time Radio. The following year saw another milestone when his first music video, Private Moment, produced by James Sutherland, was broadcast on MK89 on DStv.
Acting was never far away either. Rhinus briefly appeared as a motorist in Binnelanders, and in 2007 and 2008 he teamed up with Jonathan Wulf to form the two-piece band Lotz n Wulf, performing throughout Gauteng.
In September 2008, Rhinus moved to Barberton, where he established Jewellinquin Productions. The company focused on vocals, stage performance and personality development for both young and old, and operated until 2011. He also performed as a solo artist throughout the Lowveld, including alongside Jacqueline Brits at venues such as Old Rock, John Henry’s Boskombuis, Attie’s Place, Pappa’s Pizza and in Marloth Park. Although his career later took him to other parts of South Africa, including Gordon’s Bay and the Western Cape, Barberton remained an important part of his story.
His professional journey has included working in narration and editing, joining the art department of Quantum Productions and working on the award-winning kykNET series Vallei van Sluiers Seasons 3 and 4. He also appeared in the international television series Black Sails in Season 3 as the Slaver Captain’s Mate. His other screen work includes ’n Man soos my pa en Strikdas where he worked behind the scenes with the production team.
His theatre credits include productions such as Kryg en Konfyt, Binnereis, Dubbelspraak, Die Sewende Dag, Icarus’s Mother, Prisma, Café à la Carte and Die Paddas, among others. He has also narrated radio productions including Die Paddas and Berg van die Digters.
Despite the many different directions his career has taken, music remains at the heart of everything Rhinus does. He has released numerous singles in addition to his original album, including Woorde in my mond, Ek is vry (remix), Twee jaar later, Om by jou te wees, River and Sal jy my optel 2020. His music has also enjoyed considerable radio success. Om by jou te wees spent several weeks at number one on Vaal Stereo as well as Sabie stereo and reached number four on Radio Laeveld’s Top 20. Two years later the song again featured several weeks on both radio stations in the top 5.
Since 2020, Rhinus has also performed with Marlese van Veen as the duo Sean-Alice. While Rhinus sings, Marlese provides vocals and plays several instruments, creating a versatile musical partnership that has performed at various venues. His latest single, Red my, was released on October 2, with more new music already on the way. He also teamed up with Maritza Lubbe as a duo and they performed all over the Lowveld including the Innibos music festival.
For Rhinus, though, music is about far more than charts, recognition or commercial success. “Music enriches my life. I cannot live without it. It feeds my soul and helps me a lot with my anxiety and depression,” he says. “My music is not about becoming famous or rich. It is an absolute passion.” The musical talent appears to run in the family too, with Rhinus saying that his love for music comes from both his parents and that many of his cousins on his father’s side are also musically inclined.
Today, Rhinus continues to pursue a career encompassing singing, acting, writing and directing, music quizzes, karaoke hosting and teaching. He has performed across both Mpumalanga and the Western Cape, and his music is available on the major streaming platforms, with several music videos also available on YouTube. His home is Barberton, although he currently spends time between Barberton and Nelspruit.
Perhaps this is what makes his recent second-place finish at OppiDam particularly special. It was not the beginning of Rhinus Lotz’s journey, nor is it likely to be the end. It was simply another moment in a long and colourful career, this time happening right here on our doorstep. For a town that sometimes forgets just how much talent it has produced, Rhinus Lotz is a timely reminder: you do not always have to look beyond Barberton to find someone with a remarkable story.
Sometimes, the talent is already living next door.
Naomi Roebert
Mariana Balt
Liz Thorne
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