Andrew Germishuys

Background

Andrew Germishuys has diverse and commendable skills and talents, with an acting, SWAT, martial arts, ballroom dancing and IT background. This has stood him in good stead, featuring in films such as The Flood, Mercenary For Justice, Goodbye Bafana and The Bird can't fly.

Early Years and Sport

He was born in Cape Town and attended Edgemead High School, where he was appointed official school photographer and worked in the media centre. Andrew received several awards for both academic and sporting achievement and service. He was nominated several times for Academic Achiever of the Year. Andrew is an avid sportsman, having played on the school cricket and volleyball teams, played social tennis and soccer (for Cub / Scouts). He has done 15 consecutive Argus cycle tours since high school and has maintained times under four and a half hours.

SWAT, Guns and Martial Arts

Andrew is actively involved in assisting the community as a volunteer for The South African Police (SAP) where he is a reservist with duties including shifts on The Flying Squad, sting operations with The Drug Unit; and as a member of the East Metropole Area Task Team, working with high Flyer crime and high risk warrants. He holds an International policing Certificate and took second place being highly commended for achievement in practical and theory. He is ranked as Inspector and was elected as Reservist of the Year for 3 consecutive years. Andrew has had SWAT training and has worked as a SWAT instructor. This included advanced fire arm and tactical training with weapons including hand gun, assault riffle and shotgun. He also did SAPS specialised martial arts, called Contact, which included unarmed combat and Tonfa.

Andrew's extensive martial arts training began with Traditional JKA Karate, followed by Close Quarter Combat (CQC). He has Traditional Weapons Training, including Bo, Nunchucks, Improvised Weaponry, Sword and Knife. He has taken part in countless competitions, winning several trophies, medals and certificates.

Studies and Experience

Tertiary education includes a B.Sc. degree with a major in Information Systems and Psychology with modules in Computer Science and Criminology, through UNISA. He also has a diploma in Datametrics, and various computer related studies.

Andrew has completed various film and voice courses at ACT Cape Town. Advanced Acting for Film was by invite only and auditions were held to qualify for the workshop. Andrew holds a gold medal, with merit, from The London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts (LAMDA). One of the LAMDA theatre pieces was performed as part of ACT Cape Town's showcase at On Broadway, with acting and business partner, Martéz Saporta Rothuysen (co-founder of SAMDB, The South African Movie Database).

Andrew divides his time between freelance shoots and managing SAMDB.