Who remembers the wheelchair-bound womaniser in the 1980s TV drama series, Bophelo Ke Semphekgo?
Nkwesheng Madime was an unsavoury but hilarious character who introduced Seputla Sebogodi to the big time on the small screen. He went on to underline his reputation as one of the best actors in the memorable role of the villainous Kenneth Mashaba in Generations.
It's been a while since a disabled character graced our local screens, yet we live in a world with disabled people and it's only right their lives should be reflected.
DStv recently introduced three wheelchair-bound characters in different productions. Their compelling roles are emotionally captivating and they portray them with charisma and gravitas.
Klaus Wagner (Sergio Mamberti) is a shady and spiteful businessman who plays the role of a Nazi war criminal in the Brazilian telenovela titled Caribbean Flower(Mzansi Magic 161, weekdays at 11am and 3.30pm). He is a fugitive in South America who uses the pseudonym of Dionysius Albuquerque.
That is until he is arrested and deported back to Germany to face trial for his Holocaust crimes. The short-tempered octogenarian has discovered to his irritation that he has fathered an illegitimate son who is suffering from Down's syndrome. There's something true-to-life about a series with such flawed characters. Now local telenovelas Isibaya and Ring of Lies have created two marvellous wheelchair-bound characters.
Isibaya’s Fezile Khumalo (Andile Mxakaza) is a trusted bodyguard of the Zungu royal family. His reputation as a fearless soldier who will put his life on the line for his masters is well known throughout the valley of eBhubesini.
He has fallen in love with the strikingly beautiful widowed Queen Mother, Qondi Buthelezi (Jessica Nkosi). Both are young and seem destined for long marital bliss. However, their romance turns into a nightmare after a shooting incident leaves Khumalo paralysed and they find it difficult to accept his paraplegic condition.
He seeks solace in alcohol, entertains suicidal thoughts and ditches Qondi, whom he blames for his fate. Similarly, Ring of Lies’ Thabelo Rabothata (Sello Motloung) is dealing with his own demons following a tractor accident that robbed him of both legs. He was a respected family man and farm manager but his wheelchair-bound condition has made him dependent on his wife and schoolteacher, Masindi Rabothata (Florence Masebe). She feels he has become a burden and wants a divorce.
Both characters feel empty, as though they have no purpose in life. Andile Mxakaza and Sello Motloung are brilliant in their roles. It's evident they have thoroughly researched their subject matter. But in real life they are able-bodied actors. So is Seputla Sebogodi. One hopes for a time when local television will cast disabled actors for these roles. We need diversity and authenticity on our screens.
l Ring of Lies airs on Mzansi Magic, Mon-Thurs at 9pm. Isibaya is on the same channel weekdays at 8.30pm.