Mamokete Khuse leaves Rhythm City on a bad note
|||There have been quite a few exits by soap actresses lately. Connie Chiume’s departure from Rhythm City, however, was not by choice, but by the storyline design, writes Debashine Thangevelo
SOAP buffs are still reeling from the news of Connie Ferguson (Generations: The Legacy’s Karabo Moroka) and Kgomotso Christopher (Isidingo’s Katlego Sibeko) leaving their respective shows. And this week, e.tv announced the departure of Connie Chiume, who has been with Rhythm City since it debuted on July 9, 2007.
In her role as Mamokete Khuse, Chiume has been to the soap what Agnes Matabane was to Isidingo – a relatable matriarch for the working class. And like Agnes – and the whole Matabane family – it looks like Mamokete’s usefulness to the storyline has expired.
Although a lot of media have written about the award-winning veteran actress’ exit, not much has been said about it not being of her own volition.
When Tonight called Chiume, she said: “I didn’t come to that decision, production came to that decision. I wasn’t ready or prepared. Though, you know, like death, you must expect it at any time.”
She continued: “In each and every soapie, you sign a one-year contract. You should expect that the producers can decide anything with your character. But, after a while, it feels so much like home that you forget that.”
Reflecting on her character and the warmth she brought to the soap, she shared: “Mamokete is a loving person with a big heart. She is very passionate about humanity. She is always taking in whomever is in trouble. She is fulfilled by assisting other people. In my house – the Khuse home – there were all these different characters. Even though she was struggling (financially), she was able to share what she had.”
Of her most notable storylines, she offered: “I always say, some of the stories were fine. But there were two memorable ones. The first one was when Jacob came back to town and Mamokete was sort of pampered. At the end of the day, she is still human. She has a child with Jacob, but Stone didn’t even know the truth. He always thought Kop was his father. So she started making herself up. But, she eventually stood her ground with Jacob. It was such an interesting story. It really showcased my craft. Every morning, I had this burning excitement inside me.
“The second one was when Stone announced he was gay. Mamokete couldn’t take it and had a stroke. That was very hard to play. But I soon learnt the ropes of playing a character with that ailment.”
While she had no choice but to accept that her character’s time was over, the exit the writers gave Mamokete was a far cry from what she would have preferred.
She said: “I was not happy. I even approached the producer. This woman has been such a helpful person and to be shot dead! That is sad. But it was already written and decided.”
Unlike the press release that went out saying that Chiume would also be focusing on her long-time “passion for farming” – she is ready to get right back in the acting saddle.
She clarified: “I will not take a break. Any opportunity that comes my way, I will take. For the past two years, I have been trying to open a school with some people. It is registered, but we are trying to get accreditation. But acting is and always will be my first love.”
Interestingly, Chiume started her career in soaps in 1997.
Shedding light on her journey since, she noted: “It has had its highs and lows. There were days when there was nothing for the actors. The industry was not what it is now. You never knew when your next job would come. But there have also been highs with the roles I got. When you are walking down the street and you have people come up to you, you realise the impact you have made. Another thing that thrills me is seeing new actors coming into the industry and making it. That is encouraging.”
As she pointed out – and rightfully so – with local channels investing so much in home-grown content, the opportunities now are even greater.
So don’t be surprised to find her in one of the new Mzansi dramas or telenovelas now that she is a free agent again.
As for the domino effect this will have on the Khuse family in the current storyline, Yula Quinn, Rhythm City series producer, said: “For the immediate future, Kop will continue to look after Reneilwe and Emmanuel and be their father figure. He will also be going on a little journey with Jafta who will be changing his name. Later in the year, he will leave RED Records and try to start his own little business in the back yard.”
Connie Chiume’s final scene airs on Rhythm City on Wednesday at 7pm on e.tv.