From Matwetwe to Muvhango, actor Tebatso Mashishi has been deliberate about the roles he plays to avoid the further disfigurement and demonisation of people living with albinism.
In Hollywood, the clichéd plot twist “evil albino” has been coined to address the stereotypical depiction of albinism as menacing and wicked in films like The Matrix Reloaded and The Da Vinci Code.
Locally, shows like Isibaya and The Queen have pandered to the same bias of limiting storylines that involve albinism to victimhood, danger and witchcraft.
The 27-year-old entertainer has carefully observed the widespread trope of misrepresentation in film and television. Mashishi is ensuring that albinism is reflected positively and nuanced on-screen with his portrayal of cool wannabe rapper Papi in Matwetwe and nerdy bookworm Kgosi in Muvhango.
“I have been cognisant of the roles that I accept because the skin comes with a lot of politics. I’m conscious of how writers and directors position the narrative,” Mashishi shares.
“The medium is very influential and there are a lot of myths around us. In the past we have always been portrayed as victims that are killed and teased.
“It’s refreshing to play a cool hero in Matwetwe and nerd in Muvhango. Kids living with albinism can be able to see themselves at home associated with positivity and reflected on screen.”
I have been cognisant of the roles that I accept because the skin comes with a lot of politics. I’m conscious of how writers and directors position the narrative
Mashishi’s candour and vulnerability is refreshing. He rips off the plaster by confessing to his private struggles with depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts in the past two years.
A few months after Matwetwe premiered to critical acclaim and commercial success in 2019, Mashishi’s co-star Sibusiso Khwinana was tragically murdered.
“He [Khwinana] taught me to go for it. It doesn’t matter how much money you have or how scrappy it is, just go for your dreams,” Mashishi says. “Force your way through your obstacles because there is a place for everyone on this planet. Do not wait for any resources.
“After his passing I couldn’t watch the film. So, that year started really well and it just went down.”
Two months after Khwinana’s death, Mashishi also lost his mother. “I had told her that I was shooting with Muvhango, but she never got to see me make my debut,” Mashishi remembers. “I thought with my first cheque I was going to spoil her and it didn’t happen. I lost myself and I would stay in the house doing nothing.”
Make no mistake about it, Mashishi is not baring his soul so we can feel sorry for him. This is a resilient young man using his influential voice to break the stigma around mental health conditions. This sensitive issue is a relatable one that many face, especially with the isolation and stress of the pandemic.
Mashishi is preaching a message of “it’s OK not to be OK” and urging people to seek help. He believes that taking time to heal and exercising self-love is paramount – speaking out is not weakness. “I’m in a good space now mentally. My mental health suffered at level 5 of the national lockdown because I was in isolation and I had to face everything,” Mashishi admits.
“Our industry is fast moving and I didn’t get to mourn properly. Healing takes time and in level 5 I had to deal with a lot of that. I started taking anxiety pills and going to therapy.
“I have regained my confidence and doing the things I used to love doing again – give it time. I thought therapy was going to be a pill that fixes everything but it’s part of the process. There will be highs and lows but you will get better and I’m living testament, even though the demons creep in sometimes.”
Mashishi scored the role in Matwetwe in 2017 as a drama graduate from Tshwane University of Technology. While waiting for the 2019 release of the coming-of-age film helmed by Kagiso Lediga, Mashishi focused on industrial theatre. He then worked behind the scenes at Muvhango as a third assistant director before landing the role of Kgosi.
His one regret was not being present enough when Matwetwe was released. “It was a crazy time because when I was younger I saw these big movie premieres with cameras and lights. I dreamt of that life, but when it was my turn I didn’t enjoy it enough,” Mashishi says.
“I met Black Coffee and we went to his house. That’s when I realised that everything is possible and I’m not going to look back. I didn’t expect for fame to come that quick, but I realised that our journeys are different.”
Mashishi, from Moletlane village in Zebediela, Limpopo, is an only child. Due to his skin being sensitive to light and sun exposure, he spent a lot of time by himself indoors while growing up. Through reading books and watching TV, his love for acting was born.
“There was a stage in my life that I couldn’t go out to play with other kids because of the obstacle with the sun and we didn’t know about sunscreen,” Mashishi says. “So, I started to mimic everything I saw on TV, from cartoons to music. So, when the time to make a career choice came, I thought I was good at mimicking people and I wanted to have fun for a living.”
Mashishi is also a rapper under the sobriquet Prodykal. He is planning to launch his album soon and a celebrity book club. He’s single and admits that mjolo (dating) is showing him flames like the rest of us. “The streets are cold, man,” he jokes about his nonexistent romantic life.
Fact file: Tebatso Mashishi
Favourite movie: The Dark Knight
Favourite actor: Presley Chweneyagae
Favourite food: Kota
Favourite musician: Nasty C
Favourite emoji: Nerd face emoji
Top three songs on my playlist:
Trap Jumpin’, by 25K
Pheli Makaveli (Intro), by 25K
A Lot, by 21 Savage featuring J. Cole
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