Nat Ramabulana
What’s going on in your favourite actor’s head?
While his mayor character Tendamudzimu loves nothing more than causing drama on Venda soap Muvhango (1997- current, see more on p17), Nat Ramabulana is all about comedy. “You need to have laughter in your life,” says the 34-year- old. “You can’t be serious all the time; you need that release.” And he knows all about delivering punchlines and joking around onscreen, having played Blessing in SABC2 comedy Askies in 2009. As for his viewing habits, they are as varied as his roles…
What was the first TV show you
acted out with friends? We’d repeat scenes from the sitcom Martin (1992-1997), especially anything by flashy salon owner Sheneneh (played by lead star Martin Lawrence in drag). Who was your first TV crush? It was probably Nomonde Gongxeka from season 1 of high school drama Yizo Yizo (1999-2004). She portrayed the role of Hazel. What did you do when an adult moment came on while you were watching TV with your family? I don’t think I freaked out ever. I would just casually enjoy the awkwardness of the moment and pretend everything was normal. What product have you wanted ever since you saw it on TV? That’s a difficult one… so much… Whose TV wardrobe do you want? Suit-loving businessman thug Gadaffi (Vuyo Dabula) on Generations – The Legacy (2014- current). Whose TV house would you love to live in? The Greenleafs’ house from drama show Greenleaf (2016- current, see p45). What shows are you fanatical about now? Greenleaf, gritty cop drama Luther (2010- current), law show Suits (2011current) and local soap Imbewu (2018- current). If you worked behind the scenes, which job would you want to do and why? I would love to be a director of photography. It’s a really cool job, playing with lights and mood and getting to create the moving imagery onscreen. What is one of your favourite plot twists from a show? I think that Greenleaf is spectacular in this way, how the family keeps unravelling and each character is really intriguing in their own unique way. Which character is your favourite hero and why? Superman! He’s the ultimate superhero, isn’t he? And he flies! What is your nightmare scenario while filming? Looking like I don’t know what I’m doing. With all the reboots happening, which series would you like to reboot and be part of? The Line (1994), the early ’90s SA made-for-TV movie about the ANC and IFP right before the ’94 elections. It was amazing and Bra Jerry Mofokeng was riveting as Duma Nkosi! Electric! Wow! If you could play any character on any show, who would it be and why? It would be Chuck Bass (Ed Westwick) from Gossip Girl (2007-2012) or gangster Papa Action (Ronnie Nyakale) from Yizo Yizo. Both are really cool and the actors look like they had a lot of fun playing these two characters and they weren’t the nicest guys around either. What show are you binging on currently? Survivor SA (2006- current, which has just been renewed fora seventh season next year). What show and episode made you cry most recently? I was watching an episode of local docu-series Yobe (2018- current) – it follows offenders who sit down with their victims to get forgiveness. What show made you want to become an actor? Kid shows KTV (1990-2011) and YO.TV (1996- current). Your favourite TV icon is? Bart Simpson. And if you could change one thing about your current character, it would be… I’d make him Russian so that he could hang out with Donald Trump on Air Force One. Just joking. Nothing. I love Tenda just the way he is.