AMANDA DuPont is perfectly cast as Lelo Mthiyane in SABC1’s Skeem Saam. After all, her hot looks lend authenticity to the storyline.
To update viewers, her university-going character is dating high-school student, Kwaito (Clement Maose). Although, her interest isn’t exactly borne out of love – she has been manipulating Kwaito in order to plagiarise one of his articles. Of course, she uses her feminine wiles to conceal her plan.
DuPont first gained attention as Thabisile Dlamini in SABC’s Muvhango. She played the role for two years before latching on to other TV projects: A Place Called Home, End Game, Intersexions, City Ses’la and Single Guys.
She also proved adept as a pre- senter on The Real Goboza (RGB).
On exploring the world of pre- senting, she says: “It really was a bit of a rough transition. One of the main reasons why I decided to leave soaps was because I felt that studio scenes in mass production form can be a bit too restricting and possibly stifle one’s creativity and growth as an actor, albeit a great learning experience.
“That said, it’s great to be back and to act on a show like Skeem Saam. The show is unique in a way because there are more location shoots. So we don’t entirely lose the ‘real’ factor that would be suffered on a soap.”
Shedding light on how the role came to fruition, DuPont offers: “I was asked to read for the character and to see if there would be chemistry between Clement and me. They were more concerned about whether there would be a real bond between us, which is one of the things I appreciate about this production, and its uniqueness.
“They go out of their way to pick believable characters who look the part, and look like they have lived those lives. I really wasn’t expecting much because as an actor, you get sent to many auditions so you kind of learn to hope for the best and expect the worst. I was pleasantly surprised when I was called back.”
And what a meaty role it is, too. As for Lelo mastering the art of manipulation, the actress offers: “Like many human beings, Nombulelo “Lelo” Mthiyane has many layers. On the surface, she appears to be manipulative and emotionally abusive, but she is just reflecting the bitter pain and abuse that she encountered as a young lady and never found a moment to deal with it. It later takes over her mind, and she ends up all alone. She has a fear of losing the people she loves, and ends up using money as security.
“She found what she was looking for in Kwaito, who also happens to bring out the worst in her. The poor unsuspecting guy ends up being a victim. Through him, the viewer is exposed to the pain and turmoil that she’s experienced in her life, and how she always expects people to hurt and leave her. She has resorted to finding young men, getting them weak in their knees as they fall in love with her, then she exploits their talent. She’s a feisty woman though!”
DuPont reveals that the emotionally heavy scenes tend to linger and she has to force herself to snap out of it to prepare for her RGB shoot.
“My first passion is definitely acting. RGB works for me because I also love engaging with different personalities. I’m a natural chatter-box. The most dramatic shift at times is the hair change and the make up. It takes an entire glam squad to make it work.”
Having taken on such varied characters since Muvhango, she says she chooses roles that challenge and stretch her as an actress.
“Roles that have a rich and extensive character background with different layers. I also try to make it a point that the characters I play are different from each other. They might have similarities, which is normal, but they must be different. I always have to ask myself if the character will benefit me in the long run.”
Of course, while playing Kwaito sits well with her, finding out that he cheated on her pushes Lelo over the edge into boiling bunny territory.
Commenting on her co-star Maose, she reveals: “Clement is just too amazing for words. I’ve grown to really love and care about him as a person and it helps that he is such a gentleman and so funny – not to mention his conspicuous talent.”
As for the overall appeal of SABC1’s fledgling offering, the actress maintains: “Skeem Saam is a breath of fresh air. The stories are very realistic, but they are told in a twisted and dramatic way that keeps viewers glued. It is my opinion that South Africa will be blown away by the upcoming storylines. It’s a show that has some of the most talented cast and crew.”
Of course, it is worth tuning in to see DuPont take on a different shade of desperate as she stalks Kwaito.
lSkeem Saam airs on SABC1 on weekdays at 6.30pm.
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