Matli relearns his language for new role
WHO knew that an Eastern Capeborn lad would ever be intimidated at the thought of speaking Xhosa for a living?
Matli Mohapeloa is agonising over this dilemma ahead of his big debut on next month.
“I have to prepare a little bit more than usual when it comes to the language. I was born and grew up in the Eastern Cape, speaking Xhosa, but what you speak daily is different to the language in its pure form,” he says.
Mohapeloa steps into the character of the vengeful and crafty Thabiso, a Xhosa man from Margate in KwaZulu-Natal.
See, Thabiso was failed by his one ticket out of prison, his lawyer Fana – played by Mnqobi Duma.
He did time, convicted for rape, so now he is out to get back at Fana with the help of his friend whose identity is still unknown.
Ever calculative, Thabiso is willing to do anything to get revenge, and that means getting cosy with everyone close to Fana.
“This is a game to Thabiso, he uses everyone like pawns in chess,” says Mohapeloa.
“When you first meet the character you would feel sorry for him, but behind that there is a very crafty, dark and conceited person.
“He’s very complicated and somehow loses his judgement between what is good and bad.”
Empathising with Thabiso, Mohapeloa says he’s been through a lot and Fana was the guy who was supposed to help him out.
Being on one of the nation’s most watched local shows is also a dream come true for Mohapeloa.
“We grew up watching
When I realised that I wanted to act, I wanted to be on the show. And 10 years later here it is.”
Mohapeloa is besides himself with excitement now that he will be rubbing shoulders with his idols Vusi Kunene and Manaka Ranaka.
“I’m pretty happy and chuffed about
“This is a first for me that I play such a challenging character with a lot of dimensions.
“I’ve played different people before but nothing like this.
“I will have fun with it, work hard and hope people don’t attack me on the streets,” he joked.
Mohapeloa said he did thorough work preparing for Thabiso, including discussions with the writers and an acting coach. When asked about break-up rumours with actress Khanya Mkangisa a quickly defensive Mohapeloa could neither confirm nor deny.
However a sound of excitement quickly rushed out of him as he tried to formulate his words to sound diplomatic.
“What I can say is, I’m not in a relationship but I am in love with someone. I’m single but I’m not ready to mingle.”
“I’m pretty happy and chuffed about