Popular telenovela Ashes to Ashes is nearing the end, but its fired up ambition in its stars
|||BY DEBASHINE THANGEVELO
LAST year, e.tv took on SABC1’s Generations – The Legacy by introducing it’s telenovela, Ashes to Ashes, in the same slot. And they dominated in the prime time 8pm slot.
In fact, it proved to be such a hit that the channel brought back Ashes to Ashes back for a second season and, in doing so, changed the whole rule book on telenovelas. The fact that half of the axed Generations actors – Atandwa Kani (Buzwe Sihlahla), Menzi Ngubane (Detective Nkonzo Mazibuko), Nambitha Mpulwana (Mandlakazi Namane), Patrick Shai (Selo Namane) and Mandla Gaduka (Damian) – starred in the telenovela, sparked curiosity, too. And that’s not forgetting the waves made by Nyaniso Dzedze as Tsietsi Namane, the ruthlessly ambitious eldest son in the family.
Set against the backdrop of the family-run business, Namane Funerals, the storyline centres on the family, their secrets and struggles. Of course, it wouldn’t be complete without some comedy to adding levity to the heavy drama. That’s where Mandla Gaduka, who started out as Solomon, one of Lebo’s (Mahlubi Kraai) oldest and cash-strapped friends, in the SABC1 comedy, Gauteng Maboneng, comes in.
He then bagged his TV breakthrough role as Choppa on SABC1’s Generations. He is also known for winning SABC1’s Dance Your Butt Off reality series competition and bagging a part in the award-winning feature film, District 9. Having been with Ashes to Ashes for its entire run, Tonight caught up with him to find out about the journey and how he feels about it ending.
On playing Damian, the gossiping, funny metro-sexual who mans the front desk at reception, he offers: “From a character point of view, Damian is that loyal servant to the Namane family. Whenever they’re going through their issues, he’s that solid person who is there to help them keep the ship sailing. From an actor’s point of view, I’ve enjoyed the character. It was supposed to be a C-storyline. But in terms of how he’s grown and his interaction with Maggie Benedict’s character, Violet, and Richard Lukunku as Stitch, it has been fun. Also, I enjoyed playing around with the material given to us every week, dealing with the crises and playing around with the comic timing.”
Revisiting his memorable storylines, he offers: “One involved Stitch going through his love issues with Reba. The other was the storyline when Violet died. It allowed the character to step up to a more serious situation.”
On the telenovela defying the rule book and returning for a second season, he says: “It was a happy surprise. I was like, ‘oh, we get to experience all of that again’, and, hopefully, challenge ourselves differently.”
What’s interesting is that he also bagged a Safta this year for Best Supporting Actor for his role on Gauteng Maboneng.Opening up about what that means, he notes: “I appreciate the recognition. I always felt I’m the underdog guy who doesn’t get noticed much. And it means that there are those who saw my silent achievements and passion for the industry. I just hope it doesn’t solidify me in that category.”
Not that he has anything against comedy, but he is hoping to try his hand at something new. He notes: “I’m open to trying something new. Because of how I came into the world of television, a lot of stuff that gets ushered in my direction is more of the comical stuff. It’s a debate I’ve had with some actor friends of mine. I’m struggling to find a way out of the comical world. I feel it would be better to show my range as opposed to sticking to one lane.”
Meanwhile, Damian’s loyalty is rewarded by the Namane family as he is given shares in the business. He offers: “I’m happy with how it has ended as I’m always rooting for the underdog.”
Other highlights in the build-up to the climax include an end to the kidnapping situation, while Selo comes clean about a murder he committed. The other family members try to rebuild their fractured lives amid the skeletons toppling out the closet. Gaduka adds: “With everything we have gone through, the story has come full circle and it is a very lovely ending.”
With that chapter closing, he is going to do a bit of industrial theatre until his next TV gig.
Ashes to Ashes comes to an end on Friday, September 2 on e.tv at 8pm.