Artist, dreamer, diva!

Khanya’s Ndebele dreams are the key to unlocking her heart as an artist on drama series iKani.

iKani Season 1 Sundays SABC1 (*191) 19:30

We could easily have fallen in love with SABC1’s first- ever isiNdebele drama series iKani (2018- current) for its use of Ndebele artwork alone. But then lead actress Thandeka Mdeliswa stole our hearts by throwing herself heart and soul into playing young artist Khanya Hlope, who is slowly coming back to life as she gets to grips with her heritage. “Khanya is beautiful, feisty, stubborn and an artist – which is similar to myself as Thandeka. I often find the emotional lines blurred while in character,” she says. Thandeka promises that as Khanya continues to embraces her Ndebele heritage, we will see that life flow through her art. “Her inspiration can be backed up with the understanding of where it all comes from. When she has emotional fulfilment, she will have a deeper ownership of the content of her art work.” Thandeka takes us deeper into the show.

How did you get to grips with Ndebele culture for the role?

The most prominent thing I did as Thandeka was when Khanya has to do iqhude (the Ndebele coming-of-age ceremony for women). I had to shave my hair off and be with girls that actually went through the ceremony so that I could try to understand the emotions behind this event.

What about culture have you come to appreciate?

The pride that the Ndebele people have about and for their culture in spite of what other tribes’ perceptions and negative connotations are about them. They stand for what they love and what they believe in. Ndebeles are a bright tribe, visually stimulating and have a cheerful aesthetic, especially with their art.

What is one of your favourite Ndebele sayings?

“Aliweli kude nom’thalo”, which means an apple doesn’t fall far from its tree.

How is Joburg girl Khanya adapting to Ndebele village culture in iKani?

Johannesburg life was getting more difficult for Khanya. She was feeling lost and destitute. She arrived in iKani (for the art festival) with the prospects of wealth and power, only to experience a greater desire for a sense of belonging. And while finding out more about herself, she also finds love.

How is her identity as a slay queen challenged or supported by Ndebele culture?

Khanya’s slay queenness is different in a way because she doesn’t have anyone to fund her lifestyle. Being a slay queen for her is about being colourful and making an impact with her personality and presence. And Ndebele culture is very colourful! But she is also challenged to let go of her big- city- girl persona and be more culturally considerate while there.

What differences and issues does she see in iKani’s older and younger generations?

The older generation have never lost their roots. They still believe in their culture and one-dimensional ways of doing things. The younger women are not afraid to embrace who they are. But at the same time, they are uninspired and lack the bigger-picture vision for their crafts and products and just resort to doing things the way that they have been taught by the older generation.

What does Khanya first see when she looks at Ndebele art and how does that change as her understanding grows?

Initially she sees an interesting play of colours and patterns that evokes cheerful emotion. She sees an interesting execution of geometry, which is not the first thing you think of when thinking of African art. And then she comes to find out about her Ndebele heritage, which helps her to understand why her art has been dictated by her dreams. Dream on beautifully, Khanya.