Generations: The Legacy actor Vuyo Dabula has opened up about working with a snake, commonly referred to as Mamlabo, in the latest controversial storyline on the hit soapie.
Viewers have been glued to their TV screens in the currently storyline, in which Gadaffi’s (Dabula) wife Tshidi (Letoya Makhene) is seen using a snake she calls Mamlambo as a magic wand that turns the impossible into the possible.
But the power of Mamlambo comes with some jaw-dropping terms and conditions in return that the character Gadaffi seems to be struggling to cope with.
“We have subcultures. We have other beliefs as people all throughout the world. That means that for us as storytellers we have so much to tap into. Just for the fact that there is controversy and so much talk around it, it means it’s sort of pulling emotional chords. It is based on what certain people believe in. Besides any belief, it’s a reptile, it’s a snake and some people are afraid of it. So I get the controversy,” Dabula explains.
Perhaps the biggest outcry has come from the Traditional Healers Organisation (THO) that has accused the popular SABC 1 show of the unfair portrayal of African culture and religion.
However, Dabula insists that their aim is not to offend or make a mockery of any cultural belief.
“The controversy will be there, because it is attached to certain African beliefs. Also how we present it we employ a dramatic method that we take as creative beings. Not everything is going to be perfectly or authentically presented,” Dabula clarifies.
The 2016 Mzansi’s Sexiest winner reveals that together with his co-star Makhene they worked closely with a snake-handler beforehand to ease them into better interaction with the reptile.
“I have had experiences with that snake that are amazing; to face fears and be able to handle the snake did something to me. I used to have nightmares about snakes because snakes are scary. But I had to face that fear,” Dabula says.
“Letoya handled the snake beautifully, she had a fabulous time. When they took the snake away from me I kind of missed the experience. Letoya said the same thing. It wasn’t hostile at all.”
So what’s Dabula’s personal belief about using Mamlambo to get an edge over others in the world?
“I for one respect other people’s beliefs. Personally I think there is more to human beings than we know,” Dabula retorts.
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Source: Sowetan
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