PROFILE LIFESTYLE Rhythm City lovebirds
LOVE THAT STOOD THE TEST OF TIME ‘People can expect to see a power couple that will take over the small screen.’
or as long as most have watched e.tv drama series Rhythm City, most have known the love that exists between Suffocate (Mduduzi Mabaso) and Puleng ( played by Tebogo Khalo); a pair that has been through all the ups and downs that come with most marriages: polygamy, infidelity, deceit and miscarriages. Mabaso, quite different from his character despite being a married man himself, and Khalo, who plays a woman most women respect, took time to share a bit about acting as a couple, who they truly are, and how they view what some regard as a month of love. “There were uncomfortable moments in the beginning, but I believe it was because I had to familiarise myself with the role and adjust to the fact that I was going to have this woman (Puleng) as my wife for a while.” “It’s work, so you just have to do your best to overlook how uncomfortable it can get, but I wouldn’t say I felt any discomfort. It was just weird moving from being his friend in the storyline to being in a relationship and then being his wife. We are great colleagues and I think it would be uncomfortable if we were friends outside work.” “I don’t have a certain thing I do to be extraordinary and I don’t necessarily have a person I look up to and try to imitate. Acting for me is a calling, and with my role on Rhythm City, I just dive in, but with respect for my craft and an understanding on how I recognise Suffocate to be, despite how the directors view him to be.” “I continuously put God first in all I do. There is no major preparation that goes into portraying the role of Puleng. I use the knowledge and skills I have for my craft in telling the story authentically. I honestly take it one script at a time, plus our acting coach helps provide the necessary guidance, and fellow actors are also a huge help.
“Tebogo has a good heart and is quite respectful. I appreciate working with a person that is comfortable with voicing their feelings and doesn’t resort to gossip to solve matters.
“I’m very comfortable with Mduduzi, and appreciate how he respects his job. His role as Suffocate is a bit hard-core and mine playful, and I enjoy that Pu- leng can still come and connect with this man who happens to be emotionally unavailable most of the time. This just proves how powerful women truly are.”
“Viewers can continue to expect everything positive from Suffocate, because people should understand that this is a changed man. He is no longer a businessman with a gun in his pocket. He is a family man now. He has outgrown the thug behaviour.”
“People can expect to see a power couple that will take over the small screen. After everything Puleng has been through, she is now stronger and knows who she is and what she wants.”
“Mduduzi is as quiet as Suffocate and just as sensitive. They furthermore also both have a soft spot for kids and women, but apart from this I can’t spot any similarities. People think I’m a thug in real life. This is one of the misconceptions those who don’t know me hold.”
“I always say I’m different from Puleng, but I guess we always draw from ourselves when playing these television characters. Puleng and Tebogo both love people, but Puleng sometimes appears too serious and Tebogo is more of a free spirit. Because of my role people sometimes think I’m rude, but I’m actually shy.”
“Before I joined Rhythm City I was a theatre actor, and I believe this is what helped me hone my acting skills. The two are not the same, but theatre has allowed me to gain a vast amount of acting experience, and television has afforded me the opportunity to support my kids and family.”
“Being on Rhythm City allows me to do what I love, which is storytelling. As a storyteller, the challenge is just to tell the story in an authentic manner, and constantly remember who you are telling the story to. I put a lot of pressure on myself to do this well.”
Valentine’s Day for me is just like any other ordinary day. I believe I celebrate this day with my wife daily, despite the challenges that come with marriage. I love my wife and every day is an opportunity to show her that.”
“Valentine’s Day is just another day for me. I don’t personally celebrate it. I wasn’t the cool girl at school that always got a rose on this day.”