By Grant Moyo
Actress and television presenter, Mbonisi Mahonondo, aka Mbo Mahocs, has joined Instagram TV drama series, Lockdown Heights South Africa, an ambitious 21-part telenovela airing every week night.
Known for her goal-getting persona and diligence, she plays the character of “Lucille”, an outspoken beautiful young woman who is not stereotyped because of her sexuality.
Co-created, written and co-produced by Ayanda Makayi, a seasoned South African actor best known for his role as “Sol” on HIV and Aids drama series MTV Shuga Down South, the format of Lockdown Heights South Africa tackles uncharted territory.
Each actor or actress is required to film their scenes from their homes due to the national lockdown. This undertaking requires daily dedication, quick-thinking and communication between the writers, actors, actresses, directors and editors. Innovative and experimental techniques are also required in order to craft each scene, especially those featuring two or more characters in dialogue.
In the storyline of the drama series, which began late in March, all seems lost as the entire world is placed on lockdown due to a deadly pandemic.
Deep in the heart of Johannesburg stands an apartment building filled with residents who believe that their block is immune to the effects of the virus, and thus their daily drama is still the order of the day. Scandals, affairs, murder mysteries and skeletons surface among this colourful group of characters.
“I can officially confirm that I have joined Lockdown Heights South Africa, a 21-part episodic Instagram TV drama series designed just for this period of the Covid-19 nationwide lockdown. I am fortunate to work with a great team both in South Africa and in Zimbabwe. Paper Bag Africa is the company that facilitated for me to be part of this exhilarating production,” Mbo Mahocs said.
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“In March 2020, one of the show’s creators —Ayanda Makayi travelled to Zimbabwe for the screenings of MTV Shuga, which were being run by Paper Bag Africa. It was after this that the synergy was created and the connection was made. I am so blessed to be part of this initiative and also work with some of South Africa’s outstanding talent.”
Best known for her role as “Chichi” on ETV’s Scandal, a South African soapie, the passionate actress plays the role of “Lucille” who has just landed in South Africa from China.
The character has been in quarantine for a while and she was very fortunate to have tested negative. Stuck due to the lockdown, she phones “Tamara” her old friend who organises an apartment for her, which happens to be the same building that she lives in.
“From what I gather from the script about ‘Lucille’s personality, she seems like a fun character and loves to party, mix and mingle. She is an outspoken beautiful young woman,” Mbo Mahocs said. “I am excited to get to know her because as an actress or actor you go into places that nobody goes to. The interesting part about the character, which is something that I find challenging, but at the same time appreciate and embrace with everything in me is that she is lesbian.
“I am excited to actually delve into those kind of feelings, what she thinks, how she feels about her sexuality.
“I love that the character is not stereotyped because sometimes you see a masculine persona and you expect them to behave in that way yet that person can be attracted to men.
“I cannot wait to get to know what she gets up to, I want to meet her. That is how you feel when you are an actress or actor and you are about to play a character of a certain individual.”
The Zimbabwe-born actress is certain that she will bravely embody her role on Lockdown Heights South Africa. She is seeing the bigger picture, getting to network, and to work on a project that she is optimistic will grow beyond the lockdown.
“Since the character ‘Lucille’ is a different person from who I am, I want to find out what goes on her mind, and how she feels about same sex issues. It is a beautiful creative journey, I am excited. Nothing is too small or too big, no platform is small especially today in the era of social media that is the best platform that we can use to expose our crafts, talents, and work,” she said.
“Who knows after the lockdown this could be an actual series that is aired on SABC TV. There is already a storyline, the actors are already there, all we need is just cameras, and we shoot. That is what this industry is about, you need to stay in the circles where people can give you work.”
While the world is facing crisis and uncertainty, Mbo Mahocs is poised to elevate her career. The courageous move to permanently relocate to South Africa remains her key asset.
l Grant Moyo is a prolific writer, innovative media personality, entrepreneur and a creative artist who is passionate about using his creative mind for the betterment of society. Follow him on Twitter: @TotemGrant
