Isidingo: 15 years of drama and intrigue
SABC3 soapie Isidingo celebrates 15 years on air today and is still keeping viewers glued because of its riveting and authentic story line.
The soapie was the first to feature a mixed-race couple, a gay couple and a HIV-positive character.
One of its longest-serving actresses is Keketso Semoko. She recalls how she landed the role of MaAgnes, who is married to Zeb Matabane, played by another long-timer, Don Mlangeni-Nawa.
“I went to audition for a couple of smaller roles. When I did not make the cut for those, the casting directors convinced me to play the role of Agnes,” Semoko says.
We meet Semoko at Sasani Studios in Highlands North, Johannesburg, where the soapie is shot and discover that the production schedule has been thrown into disarray because of technical problems.
Despite the mature demeanour of the nurturing matriarch MaAgnes, Semoko displays a playful side throughout the interview.
She says she never thought her role would be one of the main characters nor did she anticipate staying in the soapie for so long.
“After we graduated in Bachelor of Dramatic Arts from Wits, most of my peers went on to do administration work and jobs that were not related to performance.
“I vowed never to work outside my passion for performance, ” she says.
Semoko acknowledges that it has been hard work since her first scene was shot in 1998, which she remembers vividly. In that scene she arrives from a rural area to join her husband at the Deep – the mining town around which Isidingo is based.
Her two children, Lettie and Parsons, were played by Lesego Motsepe and Tshepo Maseko, respectively.
Both have since left the soapie, following other notable actors such as Hlomla Dandala and Hlubi Mboya.
The 49-year-old Semoko has type 2 diabetes. She is an ambassador for the illness and takes two insulin shots a day as part of her healthmanagement regime.
“I have come full circle – from struggling with weight because my body retains water, to hospitalisation and later insulin. Now I focus on holistic living, which includes taking care of my spiritual and mental well-being.”
As the stylist combs her short Afro, she is joined by Latoya Makhene and Temanyana Sebobedi – a new group of actors.
Makhene is part of the powerful Sibeko family that includes veteran actor Vusi Kunene, Kgomotso Christopher and Linda Sokhulu, roped in to ramp up the soapie ’ s ratings. Even super bitch Cherel, played by Michelle Botes, was brought back as the soapie wars got more intense.
Changes in Semoko’s personal life have been punctuated by more dynamic changes on set as story lines changed.
“Some of my lowest moments on this production have been the loss of fellow cast members, either through death or their roles being phased out,” she says.
Another Isidingo veteran I was hoping to see is Darlington Michaels, who plays the role of Georgie Zamdela, popularly known as Papa G.
Since he is not available I opt to reach him via the telephone for his views on the soapie ’ s milestone.
“Besides his colourful shirts, Zamdela’s character has been to hell and back, from losing his brother to almost losing his shebeen.
“He rejoined the taxi industry, went to jail and is now out,” says Michaels, as he takes us down memory lane.
“Personally, for me having constant work and a salary for over 15 years has made life financially bearable for myself and family.”
His most embarrassing moment on set was when after too much to drink on a Sunday he fluffed every one of his nine scenes the following day.
“After this, I started drinking in moderation,” he says.
Zamdela is known for going out with random girlfriends, not having a wife or family responsibilities, but that is about to change when Palesa Motaung, played by Pearl Thusi, is revealed as his long-lost daughter.
Here’s to the next 15 years.