Beaten & bruised
Kea becomes a punching bag for Tebogo and actress Dineo Moeketsi warns: “This behaviour is never acceptable!”
Weekdays Mzansi Magic (*161) 21:00
April has been one of the worst months of Kea Khoza’s life, explains actress Dineo Moeketsi. The headstrong young woman was told about Tebogo’s (Fezile Makhanya) temper earlier this month after he clashed with the company drivers, “But she thought nothing of it,” says Dineo. That’s a different story by Wednesday 25 April when Kea is well on her way to being beaten to death. “She never thought that she would ever be in a position where a man would do this to her,” explains the actress. “Kea thought she’d met Mr Right.” But Tebogo’s charm was quickly replaced by a sadistic, violent monster and even though he didn’t hit her in that first week, she caught a glimpse of his violent temper. “She believes that this is repairable, that this can be fixed,” hints Dineo. But how wrong she is!
WALKING WOUNDED
Tebogo’s emotional abuse has turned physical and by Monday 30 April, Kea hides her bruised face with carefully done-up hair and make-up. “She’s actually finding it difficult to believe the lies that she’s telling herself,” says Dineo. Someone who doesn’t believe Kea’s excuses for her bumps and bruises is her mother Harriet (Connie Ferguson). “Being beaten up has chipped away at who Kea is. She doesn’t know who she is looking at when staring at the mirror. All of this has left her very broken,” says Dineo, adding that her character isn’t ready to ask for help. “That would be admitting defeat and she isn’t one to be beaten – metaphorically speaking.” But Kea’s behaviour by Tuesday 1 May is going to be more worrying, because her mindset is to “rather pretend it’s not happening. She doesn’t blame anyone outside of Tebogo. It’s having to reckon with the truth that’s the problem”. While Kea battles her demons, Tebogo will face a far worse enemy: Harriet. “This is going to come to a halt,” teases Dineo. And if Kea’s bruised face is anything to go by, it won’t end well for someone… NB! Episode info for The Queen wasn’t available at print.
LET’S GET REAL
Getting into a storyline as topical and socially significant as spousal abuse is no small task and Dineo says she’s put in “hours researching because the experiences vary and so many women are going through these horrific ordeals in today’s world”. She adds that the storyline is important because it highlights the passive approach that is often given to abuse, saying that “you cannot blame the woman or the victim. You need to expose the perpetrator for their acts and their cowardice.” Having “experienced” abuse and having insight into the ordeal, Dineo is defiant with her message for victims: “At no point is abuse ever your fault. If a man verbally abuses you, that is enough reason to walk away. Your life is of high value – remember that!”