Tackling youth issues on the big screen
April 21, 2022
Proud to be Pro
April 21, 2022
A RISING STAR…
In conversation with Zikhona Bali, lead actress in Thando – Zikhona says she hopes that Thando will lead to open conversations around social behaviour in our youth, both in and out of school ...
Source: Madmoth Communications, www.journals.sagepub.com – Johannes N Mampane image of Zikhona opposite: Martin Mokitle
Q: You studied media and journalism, what made you want to act?
A: I’ve always been intrigued by stage and TV, and seeing people on TV. For the most part, acting wanted me. Studying media was to fulfil my grandparents’ wishes. But I’m glad I did, because I can always implement what I learnt in my work of business. And life in general.
Q: How did you get your first big break?
A: There have been a few breaks, some smaller than others. My humble break was on Rhythm City when I got so nervous on my first day … Shout out to Thomas Gumede who called me aside to calm me down. I still couldn’t shake it off. I have the most patience for new people or background actors on set, especially the ones who want to learn.
Q: How did you research and relate to your role in Thando?
A: We see or hear about stories like Thando’s on a daily basis. For the most part, I took some of my experiences into account too, to make it personal.
I was fortunate enough that Director Kagiso, along with our cast and crew, created a safe space for me to be able to work. I had the responsibility of making sure I treated Thando’s story with a lot of sensitivity, without judgement so that it’s authentic.
Q: What does a typical day in your life involve?
A: My days look different all the time. There’s no particular routine for me. Currently my days are: wake up at 4:30am to start work on set at 6am. Wrap maybe at 6pm.
Q: The ‘blesser’ culture* and bullying are bigger problems than people realise. What is your take on these issues?
A: There’re so many issues that the film deals with, ‘life of the blesser and blessee’, bullying, colourism, poverty and attempting suicide. All the above are very important issues that have always been there, but because of evolving times, with phones at our disposal, life has become so fast. Everything is at our fingertips, without much regulation, privacy and policies. The movie Thando explores these elements in the hope of inspiring conversations about these issues. My take is that, now that the movie is out, I’m hoping people will go and see it and that it will create dialogue during dinner with families and friends, at work and schools. I hope the private sector can also come on board to pledge to take students to go and see the movie. In a progressive future I’m hoping these issues would be unpacked; the gap between blessers and blessies, how to inspire young girls to know and understand their worth and the importance of having their ‘own’. By this I don’t mean material possessions, I mean independence.
Harsher regulations should be implemented for bullying especially in schools and cyberbullying. Mostly to be kind towards each other.
MOVIE THEMES: THE ‘BLESSER, BLESSEE’ PHENOMENON
These terms have been prominent in South African media since 2016. It’s a form of transactional sex in which older, wealthy men (blessers) entice young women (blessees) with money and expensive gifts in exchange for sexual favours. Mostly, the men are married and engage covertly in extramarital affairs with these young women, and girls. It has been hotly debated whether this transactional behaviour should be equated to prostitution.
