Goodbye, Jack
One of the greatest villains of all time is ready to hang up his glove and bid farewell – for good.
Jack Mabaso (Vusi Kunene) has been with Generations since the early ’90s in its previous incarnation that ran from 1994 until the actor revolt in 2004. He’s cemented himself as one of the most feared but loved villains on the smallscreen, whether it’s his dealing with crazy Russians, or dodgy drug pushers or women – he’s become an iconic figure in the local television scene. Even Vusi admits that he’s grown to adore his character over the years. Having always wanted to play “the bad guy”, Vusi was elated when he was cast 26 years ago. “I’m attached to Jack because that was my first soap opera role. People have never forgotten Jack and he has stayed with me for so long.” But now it’s time to leave the legendary glove at the door and wave his fans goodbye as the great Mr Mabaso takes his final bow on Wednesday 12 May – and we’re told that this time, he’s leaving the soapie for good and there won’t be a resurrection for his character who died originally, only to return from the grave in 2015.
Jack certainly had his moments – both good and bad – that left viewers yearning for more. It was made clear from the start that no one doublecrosses the man who would one day literally cheat death. He is manipulative, utterly charming, searingly ruthless and we love him. Fans loved him so much that his infamous black leather glove gained its own Twitter following with the hashtag #JacksGlove!
DEAD & BURIED?
While it feels like he’s been part of the soapie family forever, Jack wasn’t always there. Back in 2007, the world of soapie villains came to an abrupt standstill when a mysterious gloved hand injected a lethal dose of penicillin into a bed-ridden Jack’s IV drip. Viewers were teased for months with a classic whodunnit arc, leaving us wondering who the murderer could be. And with Jack’s sordid history of maiming and murdering his enemies, the list of possible suspects was a long one.
THE RESURRECTION
About eight years after his fateful exit, Jack made comeback when he pulled a Stefano DiMera (the infamous death-cheating character played by Jo Mascolo on Days Of Our Lives, 1965-now, see more on p32,33 and 55) on us in the rebooted Generations: The Legacy. However, not everyone was thrilled to see him back in town, including some fans and an online debate debate soon erupted. Back then, Vusi was more than eager to be back, saying, “I love Jack and when the producers wanted to bring him back, I didn’t think twice.” We’re certainly not complaining – what followed were five more years of magic Mabaso moments.
Jack (left) using a sangoma to find his mom wasn’t his only dalliance with the supernatural world.
RUN, JACK! RUN!
Following suspicions that he was being drugged by his lover Zitha (Zoe Mthiyane), a hospitalised Jack with memory loss, snuck out of the hospital and roamed (and slept on) the streets of Jozi in a hospital gown and slippers. It’s not often that we get to see the powerful mobster this vulnerable as he turned to homeless folk and stunned bystanders, begging for a phone.
OH, MAMA
In January this year, we got to see a more emotional and fragile side of
Jack as he went on a journey to find his biological mother. Abandoned as a baby, Jack had no idea where to start looking. But a few sessions with his sangoma and a number of unsettling dreams later, he was soon closing in on the woman who brought the devil into this world. We saw Jack grapple with his abandonment issues and the events that made him who he is today, while also witnessing the usually ice-cold killer reflect on matters of forgiveness and understanding. Sadly, when mother and son finally came face-to-face, the reunion didn’t last long. His mother just couldn’t come to terms with his evil actions and tried to stab him in his sleep. “I am what you made me. I take after you, you devil!” Jack exclaimed as he smothered her to death. And who could forget his chilling threat shortly afterwards? “I killed my mother. It will be easy to kill your mother.”
JACK’S ZINGERS
Vusi’s cold delivery as the businessman has made normal lines seem extraordinary at times and he never ceases to amaze and stun fans. After being caught cheating, he coldly told Zitha
“it was just sex”. Those words left Zitha and viewers speechless and #Jack trending on social media.
WHERE TO NEXT?
Vusi has returned to his great love – the stage – recently completing a production called The Mother Of All Eating at The Market Theatre in Johannesburg. There are also rumours that he will be joining a new local series, but everyone’s keeping their cards close to their chest on the details.
PREVIOUSLY
Two ex-lovers were unsure how to handle a night of passion, Tshidi planned to get a mole into Moroka Media to spy on Mazwi, and Jack was playing the big boss in prison.
5 – 7 MAY
Detective Pele’s world falls apart, Lesedi does the opposite of what she was told, and someone realises that anyone can be bought. Mrekza decides to cheer up a friend by hosting a party, Lucy is excited about a new opportunity, and Nurse Betty reveals a secret. Siyanda is on a mission to uncover the truth about Jack, and a launch party could cost Mazwi his job.
10 – 14 MAY
#Ezweni is under attack following Lesedi’s daring stunt, Uncle Kabisi is struggling to juggle his family dramas, and a man’s life is on the line thanks to his brother. A surprising individual saves the day, a late-night visit leads to shocking revelations, and Mpho’s advice falls on deaf ears. Three members of the Russians gang arrive armed with a chainsaw, Mrekza is determined to find out what’s bothering Lucy, and Cosmo smells a rat. Lesedi’s interview proves challenging, there’s legal trouble for #Ezweni, and Gog’Flo puts her foot down.
17 – 18 MAY
Lev wants the investigating officer to speak to Siyanda, Lucy admits she needs help, and a chilling package is sent to the Morokas.
CAST: Ayanda Samela Tyelbooi •Baxolile Linky Morobi •Ben Khulu Skenjan •Bonga Tabile Tau •Boipelo Nomsa Buthelezi •Bruno Craig Urbani •Bulelwa Celeste Khumalo •Chris Mpumi Mpama •Cosmo Diale Ronnie Nyakale •Daniel Motlatsi Mahloko •Detective Pele Andile Nebulane •Elder Baruti Boikie Pholo •Fikile Refilwe Madumo
•Gadaffi Phakade Vuyo Dabula •Gog’Flo Diale Ivy Nkutha •Grace Siseko Velo •Jack Mabaso Vusi Kunene •Jerah Phemelo Mavundla
•Kgosi Sandile Makhoba •Lerato Candice Modiselle •Lesedi Diale Luyanda Mzazi •Lev Petrov Antony Coleman •Lucy Diale Manaka Ranaka •Luke Reginald Hufkie •Luthando (Noxolo) Khutji Green
•Luyolo Karabo Maseko •Luzuko Nyaniso Dzedze •Mazwi Moroka Musa Ngema •Mbali Ditebogo Ledwaba •Melokule Sibusisiwe Kondleka •Mpho Junior Singo •Mrekza Kope Makgae •Nkaba Nimrod Nkosi •Nontle Buntu Petse •Nurse Betty Zwovulea Nenungwi •Okiri Sonni Chidiebere •Palesa Busisiwe Xaba •Refilwe Jo-anne Reyneke
•Rose Veronica Matlaila •Siyanda Kay Sibiya •Smanga Moroka Moopi Mothibeli •Sphe Pearl Monama •Tamryn Danica Jones •Tau Mogale Rapulana Seiphemo •Tizita Nelisa Mchunu •Tracy Zizipho Buti •Tshidi Phakade Letoya Makhene •Uncle Kabisi Mpho Joseph Molepo •Zitha Zoe Mthiyane •Zondiwe Abigail Kubeka