Set in Soweto, Z’bondiwe is a new drama about love entangled in the dark underworld of gangsterism. We chat to the cast Anga Makubalo, Bongani Maseko and Mpho Sebeng about their roles on the show.
Bongani Maseko
How different is your character, Axe, to other characters you have played?
It is the only character I’ve played that has love. Axe is driven by love; he is influenced by love and he gives love – not just to Dikki but to Lebo as well.
One of your biggest roles was as a gangster on Zone 14, aren’t you tired of always being portrayed as such on TV shows?
Not at all! Playing gangster roles helps me with the work I do with inmates. I show them how gangsters are human too, so they can eventually change. It’s actually an honour for me to play a gangster rather than be one in real life like I used to be.
Tell us about your character Axe.
Axe is a guy who has made it in life by being street smart. He was not put on this earth to be a gang leader, but circumstances pushed him to fend for himself and his younger brother Lebo in order to survive the streets of Soweto. He is hard on the outside, but full of love on the inside – which is why we see the human side of him when he meets the love of his life, Dikki.
What is the most difficult part about playing Axe?
The parts where he has to cry. Those were really challenging parts because men who cry are considered weak, according to my upbringing. It’s even worse if you’ve actually been a prisoner before and you know how to express masculinity and violence better than compassion. The kissing scenes were also a little challenging, but I won’t deny how much I liked them. *Laughs*
Anga Makubalo
Tell us about your character.
Ntando is a very smart, focused and passionate young man who believes in doing things the right way until his fiancée gets kidnapped by her ex-boyfriend. Because of that, he breaks every rule that he believed in. It changes him and he is forced to make difficult decisions to save the love of his life.
How did you prepare for the role?
I prepared the way I always do – by getting brilliant reference movies that tell a similar story.
Can we expect to see a little bit of Anga in the role?
The character is not too far off from Anga, actually. I’m also very passionate and driven like Ntando. If there is a mess that happens, I always try my best to redeem myself.
What more can we expect from you on the show?
Expect something different. I’m a lot more vicious and physical in the role. It challenges me a bit than in most of the roles I’ve played before, but I think I handle it great.
Mpho Sebeng
Tell us about your character.
Lebo is a dark, mentally unstable sociopath. He does not account for his actions because he loves playing the victim and he is a true description of a man who has gone past the point of return.
Your character is such a contrast to the roles you are known for, how did you prepare for it?
I spent some time with real life gangsters and I put myself in compromising situations and spent a lot of time in the township.
What is the most challenging thing about the role?
Lebo undermines women and that is totally against who I am. In order to be good at the character, I had to mentally psych myself to enjoy other people’s pain like he does.
What more can fans expect from you?
I’m playing a leading role in a movie coming out in September.You can also keep watching me on Shiz Niz on e.tv. Catch Z’bondiwe on e.tv from Tuesday 12 May at 9:30PM.
