Falling on deaf ears
Troubled teen Dumisani is sucked into the twisted world of the 68 gang despite his ex-convict cousin Sabelo’s warning.
Sabelo (Ishmauel Songo) is fuming when he discovers that his 13-yearold orphan cousin Dumisani (Siyabonga Mtshali) recently pledged to a dangerous gang. “He is frustrated with the boy,” says Siyabonga. “Sabelo believes that it’s not too late for Dumi to walk away from the 68s, but that’s the last thing on Dumi’s mind.” Dumi has established a brotherhood with the members and “feels validated when he is around them. They give him money and see him as an equal, unlike his family who treat him like a child,” adds Siyabonga. As Dumi’s legal guardian, Sabelo is responsible for his well-being and he won’t stand back while the teen throws his life away. “Sabelo is terrified that Dumisani will end up in prison or worse, dead. Sabelo wants to steer Dumi away from the 68s by teaching him a hard lesson,” reveals the young actor.
WORD OF ADVICE
Sabelo realises that it’s going to take more than just scare tactics to put his cousin off the gang: he holds Dumi hostage in a rundown warehouse and has a heartfelt conversation with him about associating with the 68s. “Sabelo is desperate to save Dumi,” says Siyabonga. He wants to protect Dumi from the 68s as he’s witnessed first-hand what they’re capable of, like when they persuaded him to join the gang and stab an inmate while he was in prison last year. “Joining the gang is a lifetime commitment. Sabelo thought that he’d cut ties with them when he was released from prison last year but they tracked him down and are out to destroy his family. He doesn’t want Dumi to feel just as trapped,” explains Siyabonga. Dumi only agrees to leave the gang to keep Sabelo happy, but he continues talking to the members and that’s just the foot in the door they need to lure the youngster back.
PAYBACK TIME
Dumi is out to prove that he’s hardcore and worthy of being a 68 despite his promise to Sabelo. Dumi swears to avenge his cousin Mapula (Mapula Mafole) after overhearing a conversation that their neighbour Bra Honest (Innocent Masuku) had raped Mapula in 2015. “He takes it upon himself to get revenge on Bra Honest for nearly destroying Mapula’s life. It’s an excuse for him to spend time with the gang,” adds Siya. Sabelo tries to stop Dumi from going after Bra Honest but “Dumi wants to prove himself to the gang members. He wants their acceptance and he will push his real family away for gang’s approval instead,” reveals Siya.