WHEN Rhythm City fans first started bonding with Suffocate, he was a thug stealthily manoeuvring his way into the legitimate business world.
And he has achieved just that.
But there is one small problem he didn’t anticipate – the arrival of his younger brother Themba (Sphamandla Dhludhlu), who was so enamoured by his older brother’s criminal shenanigans while growing up that he followed in his footsteps.
Long story short, he fell in with the wrong crowd and is hoping that his big brother can bail him out.
Landing this part has been another feather in 22-year-old Dhludhlu’s cap. That he has already done TV commercials, a few films and stage productions as well as appeared in Umlilo and Generations – The Legacy, says a lot, especially in this cut-throat industry.
In fact, it was his lead role as Gazi in the feature film, Rise, which became the catalyst in him getting the role of Themba.
He shares: “What happened is, I did the movie with Quizzical Pictures and was approached by the executive producer, Harriet Gavshon. She told me there was a role she wanted me to try at Rhythm City. That’s when I auditioned.”
The young actor tells me that he has channelled those criminal traits in his earlier roles so it was easier this time around.
However, he is also aware that he is working with a stellar cast and that he has to bring it on set.
Shedding light on his character, he notes: “Themba is a nice, cool guy. He loves women a lot (laughs). He grew up with his father and ended up joining a gang in the township. They were involved in heists and he was the driver – a really good one. Then he got shot. That’s when he decided to go to Suffocate for help as the gang are looking for him.”
As much as Suffocate wasn’t the best role model earlier on, he certainly is one now. The question is: will Themba listen, or is the call to the criminal life too strong?
Dhludhlu hinted that another big story arc is in the pipeline. While his character finds himself in the line of fire, once again, there just might be hope for him, too.
Although he has finished his scenes for this storyline, he will be returning to shoot more at some stage in the near future.
In the meantime, he returns to life as an actor scouting for more roles and hoping from audition to audition.
A self-confessed book worm, this youngster is passionate about his craft. So much so that when it comes to roles, he has one criterion – it must be challenging.
With the inimitable Dorothy Ann Gould also training him in voice and acting at the moment, he is definitely off to a fabulous start in his career.
l Rhythm City, e.tv weekdays at 7pm.