It seems nothing can stop Bheki Mkhwane to do what he does best – acting.
An actor for more than 40 years, the former TV star now wants to focus on telling great stories that speak volumes about legacy through theatre.
The thespian, who was born and bred in the dusty streets of KwaMashu, Durban, is clear about what he wants and what kind of stories he wants to associate himself with. For the past eight years, the 57-year-old has been acting in classic stage plays and TV soapie Isibaya – a show he regards as a legacy production on television. To continue with his legacy mission, the actor, playwright and director is part of another classic story called Bopha!
The play, that is set to be staged at the SA State Theatre in Pretoria next month, examines the dilemma faced by black policemen during apartheid. The theatre role comes just after a few weeks sitting at home after Isibaya ended its eight-year running.
Though Mkhwane does not believe in the theory that “when another door closes, another one opens”, the legendary actor is happy to be back on stage.
Written and directed by Percy Mtwa, Bopha! premiered at the Market Theatre in Newtown in 1985, and few days later, Mtwa was harassed by apartheid police.
The play is a three-hander, featuring Mkhwane, Tshallo Chokwe and Terrence Ngwila. The outspoken actor who always prefers to keep his private life private, jumped to the opportunity to be part of the story because he wanted to be directed by the legendary Mtwa.
“Three years ago, I did Woza Albert, another classic play written by Percy Mtwa and Mbongeni Ngema. I was very clear that it would be nice to be part of such legacy show as an actor. As I am getting older I am very clear that I don’t worry about proving myself than to be part of the work that speaks volumes in terms of legacy.
Isibaya stood out as a legacy production for me. When I heard that Percy, who is the original writer and director, was going to direct the show, I said I cannot miss that opportunity as an actor to learn from Percy,” Mkhwane says.
As he chats to Sowetan while rehearsing his lines just a few days before the official start of the rehearsals, Mkhwane, who lives in Newlands, Durban north, admits that rehearsing alone is never easy. As a well-known pedant, he has started preparing for the official rehearsals in trying to drill information to his memory. He admits that theatre is not for everyone, and it was the hardest form of performance art.
A much as he has butterflies in the stomach, he's excited to work with one of the most respected directors. Mkhwane describes Bopha! as a well-written piece of theatre that is loaded with sadness, and heavy dialogue.
The award-wining actor finds it difficult since he has not acted in theatre for a while. Mkhwane says the character he plays, that of Njandini, a policeman, is very complex and he also has to juggle other six characters.
Isibaya stood out as a legacy production for me. When I heard that Percy, who is the original writer and director, was going to direct the show, I said I cannot miss that opportunity as an actor to learn from Percy
“I am so excited to be back to theatre after spending years in television. But honestly, I feel like I have never left theatre. I am playing Njandini who has to lock himself into the 1970s era during apartheid, when there was eruption of protests around the country.
"Black policemen were killed and their houses torched. So, as an actor you have to be in the bubble, you cannot resist. This guy’s grandfather and father were in the police force. He wants his brother and son to follow suit,” Mkhwane says.
The outspoken actor believes Bopha! will appeal mostly to young people, especially the born-frees who have been slowly detaching themselves from the history of where they come from because of the multiracial schools they attend. He believes that the story will open their minds and get them thinking while old folks will easily relate to the story.
“This story will expose how apartheid messed up people in this country. It turned black police officers against their own people in the townships. Black police officers had to arrest their own people for not having a permit in their own country. It exposes that cruel system and born-frees will be taken aback. ”
After finishing the run with Bopha!, Mkhwane plans to host Master Classes in Durban with his son, Menzi, who is also an actor. He reveals that he enjoys hosting the master classes because he also learns a lot from the participants.
Apart from Bopha!, Mkhwane is expected to direct uNongogo for Playhouse Theatre in Durban for Women’s Month. Mkhwane's other stage credits include Born Through the Nose, A Boy Called Rubbish, Kaboom!, Amazwi Omoya and Skadonk. He translated Lara Foot’s play Tshepang into Zulu, calling it uThembalethu.
Favourite Movie: Scent of a Woman
Favourite Theatre Show: Mummified Deer by Louis Valdez
Favourite Stage/TV Actor: Don Mlangeni-Nawa
Favourite Food: African cuisine
Favourite Quote: Creativity Loves Humbleness
Favourite Music/Artist: Anything by Richard Bona
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