Course of action
Brandon gets help from Lesedi and puts his schoolyard bully Jason firmly in his place.
Generations – The Legacy Weekdays SABC1 (*191) 20:00
Brandon’s (Donovan Pietersen) experience at his new high school has been nothing short of a disaster since he arrived in January this year. The teenager’s autism makes it difficult for him to fit in, plus he is the target for mental and physical bullying by Jason (Joshua Dukwa). Brandon’s mom Zoe (Schelaine Bennett) has kept his condition hidden so that he can be “normal” – and a “normal” teen has friends, which is why Zoe encourages Brandon to befriend his classmate Lesedi (Luyanda Mzazi) on Wednesday 28 March. Zoe thinks that Lesedi’s influence will help him to settle – but it’s not that easy, hints Donovan. “Brandon refuses at first. He doesn’t know how to have a friend. He’s hurting from Jason’s tormenting. He simply doesn’t want to let anyone in.” But a day or two later, he thinks that Lesedi might be a great friend and on Thursday 29 March, Lesedi realises that Brandon needs her help if he’s going to survive at school.
GROUND PLAN
While most teens can be found hanging out at malls and watching movies, Brandon invites Lesedi to a museum on Monday 2 April. “She is surprised by the invitation but she’s excited and waits to be picked up by Brandon and Zoe,” explains Donovan. The Diales greet the boy with open arms, having been told about his bullying issues by Lesedi. But because they’re unaware of his autism, they aren’t sure what to make of his social awkwardness and chalk it down to shyness. Donovan adds that “Lesedi understands Brandon a bit better and while they’re at the museum, she tells him that they should communicate via SMS to alert each other about Jason. She also tells him not to focus on his bully and that she will help defend him”. Violence is never the answer, but at least Brandon has someone watching his back when he’s at school and this puts Zoe’s mind at ease while she’s at work.
SEAL OF APPROVAL
The new friends bond over dinner at the Diale home on Thursday 5 April and that’s when Lesedi’s aunt Lucy (Manaka Ranaka) notices Brandon’s curious behaviour. “He separates the brown beans from the samp,” says Donovan. “He only eats white food, so he pushes the beans aside.” Fearing judgement, Brandon explains to the Diales that this is just how he’s always been. “Lucy isn’t impressed and believes that something is wrong with him,’ adds Donovan, “but like Lesedi, her grandmother Gog’Flo (Ivy Nkutha) accepts Brandon as he is, strange habits and all.”
STACK THE CARDS
It’s not long before Lesedi keeps her promise to protect Brandon. Jason goes after him on Monday 9 April but to Jason’s surprise, he’s ambushed by Lesedi – and he didn’t see it coming either. But it isn’t physical fighting, says Donovan. “Jason is floored when Lesedi trash talks him in front of their classmates. Jason didn’t think that anyone would call him out for being a bully,” smirks the actor. He feels betrayed because Lesedi is one of the “cool kids” in his clique. But bullies aren’t easily defeated and Jason starts scheming the very next day on Tuesday 10 April, using Brandon as bait for his new protector. This time, Jason might take things further, warns Donovan.
LEARNING CURVE
Donovan describes playing autistic Brandon as a mix of emotions and a huge responsibility, given that he isn’t autistic and relies on how people describe the condition. “It’s interesting and exciting but mostly challenging. I feel privileged to tell the story for autistic kids who don’t have the platform to create awareness about autism,” he says.