After weeks of embitterment following his first love’s web of lies, Scelo has finally let go of his anger and he’s forgiven Dintle. Actor Mbulelo Ndlazilwana chats about forgiveness, his character and more.
Actor Mbulelo Ndlazilwana is no stranger to acting. Though he has no formal training, the 17-year-old has made a name for himself landing roles in the country’s finest TV programmes. In 2003, he was introduced to the TV industry by his grandmother, actress Francis Ndlazilwana who has appeared on several productions including 4Play: Sex Tips For Girls.
Mbulelo debuted on TV commercials and worked his way up into South Africa’s biggest TV programmes and soaps. He is currently doing matric at Benoni High School, east of Joburg. He plans to enroll for a BCom degree when he finishes school.
But right now, between school and shooting Scandal! scenes, his days are hectic. He’s usually up at 5:30am to get ready for school. After school he goes straight to Scandal! studios to shoot his scenes and he only gets back home after 7pm.
“It’s not easy at all,” explains Mbulelo. “I have to study constantly. I do a lot more work than a normal teenager. I use my weekends to study and revise my school work. During the week I just go to school, shoot scenes and then do my homework.”
He took time away from his busy schedule to chat to us about his character, teenage pregnancy and forgiving Dintle.
Tell us about your character Scelo.
He’s hardworking and book-smart but in the real world he’s still trying to find his feet. He was brought up in a secluded environment in rural KZN. Now that he’s in Joburg he’s exposed to new things. It’s a bit overwhelming for him sometimes. For instance, Dintle was his first girlfriend so he didn’t know how to handle that. He didn’t know what to do during the whole pregnancy situation. But towards the end because he’s a responsible person he took responsibility for his actions.
How did the pregnancy affect him emotionally?
It forced him to grow up quickly. He wasn’t a kid anymore. He had to be a dad. He wasn’t ready for that but he had to brace himself for the challenge.
Was Scelo excited at the thought of being a father?
Yes, by the time the baby was born he was excited. At first it was a bit scary but he eventually warmed up to the idea of being a father.
How did Scelo feel when he found out Dintle lied to him about the baby?
This totally crashed him and changed his life. When he found out that Dintle was pregnant he thought he would have to quit soccer and find a job to maintain the baby. He was ready to sacrifice his own future for the baby and he felt really betrayed when he learnt that the baby wasn’t his. But underneath all that anger he felt relieved. He is quite lucky not to be a father at this age.
Will he ever be able to trust anyone or fall in-love again?
For now he’s going to avoid love and dating until he’s ready. He’s going to enjoy his life like a normal teenager.
Does he regret meeting Dintle?
I don’t think so. When he told his mother that he regrets meeting her, he said this out of anger. But I don’t think he does because he did like her a lot. Things just didn’t work out but he doesn’t hate her.
What led him to the path of forgiveness after being betrayed?
He’s close to his mom so when she sat him down to talk about it, he listened to her advice. She told him he was as much to blame as Dintle for this situation because he didn’t use a condom. So he decided to put it behind him and forgive her.
Will they ever be friends?
I’m not sure, maybe a few years down the line but not anytime soon.
What can we expect from Scelo in future?
He’s going to try to live his life to the fullest every day. He doesn’t want to do anything drastic. He wants to be in his parents’ good books. So he’s going to be a good boy. Some things may happen in future but we’ll just have to wait and see.
Catch Scandal! Monday to Friday at 7:30PM.
