Big little thug
Wannabe-tough guy Qaphela’s lifestyle is getting an overhaul.
Isibaya Weekdays Mzansi Magic (*161) 20:30
A surprise has slowly been creeping up on spoilt youngster Qaphela (Abdul Khoza) and it’s hitting him where it hurts most: his wallet. And while he hasn’t noticed it yet, he is going to be counting every cent for a while to come. Remember how his taxi-boss dad Judas (Menzi Ngubane) has been in hospital since late May? That means no income for the family and they’re in such financial difficulty that Qaphela and his stepmom Beauty (Thuli Thabethe) have been forced to move in with Beauty’s mother Lillian (Linda Sebezo). Qaphela isn’t enjoying life under the old lady’s rule and Abdul explains why.
Qaphela and Lillian don’t really get on… In the beginning Lillian didn’t approve of Qaphela because he is Judas’s child from a previous relationship. However, Qaphela asked Beauty for advice on how to handle Lillian and things have been improving. Right now, he’s trying to be nice to her but it’s a slow journey. How is your character adapting to living in “granny” Lillian’s house? Lillian is strict on how she runs her household and she expects everyone to follow her rules. Qaphela doesn’t like taking instructions and he finds listening to her a challenge. Plus, Lillian doesn’t entertain Qaphela’s business ideas and his way of living. And she doesn’t agree of his choice in friends at all! Is there a power struggle in the house? There is a bit of power struggle, yes. Qaphela feels responsible to take care of his family since Judas is in hospital. Qaphela is a violent young man and if anybody threatens to harm his family, he will resort to violence – that’s his way of keeping everyone safe. And what does Qaphela learn about himself thanks to his new living arrangements? Qaphela is a hard character but after a few weeks of living with Lillian, viewers will begin to see a softer side of him. He even gets a love interest and we see him helping his stepsister Zama (Linda Mtoba) when she’s feeling down. That loving side of Qaphela also shows a playful and emotional side to him, which is great to portray. Working with Linda Sebezo must be fun, given her career? Linda is amazing and so on-point with her character. She brings a lot to the table, like the passion she puts into her character. I’ve learnt a few things from her already and I hope to continue learning.