Mxolisi Nodom is taking up space and paving the way for deaf actors on local television with his historic casting on Scandal!
The 19-year-old performer has made his acting debut on the e.tv daily drama with the character Thando – who is an accurate representation of the deaf community.
Following Violetta’s (Cindy Mahlangu) disappearance, Thando shows up looking for her because she went missing without paying his school fees and that has never happened before.
The audience is just as shocked as ruthless Mamba (Simo Magwaza) to discover that his late wife Violetta kept her brother a secret. Befriending Mamba’s daughter Aya (Ayanda Nzimande), Thando quickly becomes Mamba’s worst nightmare as he will stop at nothing to uncover his dirty secret.
The role is a dream come true for Nodom, who has wanted to act all his life.
“It's been my longest dream. It’s something that I still want to do in future as well,” Nodom expresses his excitement in an email response.
“[My first say on set] I couldn’t believe it. My dream came true. I was just so happy.”
International accurate representation for the deaf community on television and film industry has been seen through Marlee Matlin’s four-decade career.
Matlin remains the only deaf actor to have won an Oscar for her role in Children of a Lesser God at age 21. She went on to earn four Emmy nominations for her roles in Seinfeld, Picket Fences, The Practice and Law & Order: SVU.
Nyle DiMarco also shot to fame after winning America’s Next Top Model and later winning dance competition Dancing with the Stars.
But on local television hard of hearing performers have been left out, which makes Nodom’s casting on Scandal! groundbreaking.
Nodom believes that the local entertainment industry needs to step up when it comes to the inclusion and diversity of deaf performers. He expresses displeasure of a hearing actor being cast to play a deaf character.
“We've never had deaf actors cast before. I think I'm the first person,” Nodom says.
“Many deaf people give up on their dreams such as being doctors, police officers, lawyers, etc. So, that's why I feel I’m sort of a role model for deaf actors because I chased my dreams.
“No matter how hard it may seem, one day a miracle will happen and your dreams will come true. I used to be overlooked.”
Many deaf people give up on their dreams such as being doctors, police officers, lawyers, etc. So, that's why I feel I’m sort of a role model for deaf actors because I chased my dreams
Nodom credits renowned sign language interpreter Andiswa Gebashe for helping him get the role on Scandal!. Gebashe has in recent months become an internet sensation as one of the interpreters during President Cyril Ramaphosa’s lockdown family meetings.
“She's the one who fought for deaf people… she chose me and that’s how I joined Scandal!,” Nodom recalls.
Scandal!’s creative director Grace Mahlaba paints a clearer picture of how they landed on Nodom.
“When we started the process of writing the character Thando, we contacted Deaf SA and got Andiswa Gabashe who is an interpreter to assist us. Andiswa suggested a few young men from Deaf SA that she thought would be interested and that’s how we found Mxolisi Nodom for the character,” Mahlaba shares.
“Then we realised we don’t have a character on Scandal! That can sign which would be a challenge. So, we decided to include that the character Aya took sign language as a subject at her private school.
“Ayanda Nzimande who plays Aya had to start taking sign language classes with Andiswa before we started shooting and will continue taking these lessons for the duration of the storyline. We worked with Andiswa Gabashe throughout the process, on set, when shooting up until the editing of our episodes.”
Nodom was raised by his grandmother and great grandmother in Colesberg. At the age of four, he fell down the stairs, injuring his head and that accident left him deaf.
“I can read lips and slowly communicate with hearing people,” Nodom says.
Nodom started primary school at Re Tlameleng Special School in Kimberly, Northern Cape, where his mother resides. He then moved to De la Bat School in Worcester at age of 12 until he completed his matric. He currently lives in Johannesburg with his father.
He also had drama lessons at Shakespeare School Festival South Africa in Pinelands, Cape Town.
So, what is the biggest misconception about the deaf community?
“They thought deaf people cannot drive… but it's not true, deaf people can drive even better than you can,” Nodom replies.
“They said sign language is nonsense but in our community sign language is a language. Most people believe that the deaf can't read or write in English.”
In September, government revealed that they were considering sign language as the 12th official language. Deputy minister in the presidency department of women youth and persons with disabilities, Hlengiwe Mkhize, announced plans of amending section 30 of the constitution and the National Official Languages.
Until then, Nodom, has big future plans including studying psychology, drama and EGD [engineering graphics and design]. And of course he wants to become a movie star.
“Don't show everyone your weakness because not everyone wants to see you do better than them. No matter how hard it is to be you, you have to stand up and be confident,” Nodom advises those who want to follow in his footsteps.
Fact file: Mxolisi Nodom
Favourite food: Burger and pizza
Favourite actor: Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson
Favourite TV show: Scandal!
Dream holiday destination: Korea
Favourite emoji: Rose
Top three movies on my playlist:
Me Before You
Titanic
Rampage
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