Thami Mngqolo, who became a household name as the brooding Senzo Dlomo on Generations, has opened up about the intense pressure and profound anxiety he felt filming a pioneering same-sex kiss with his co-star, Zolisa Xaluva. The interview, given on the Engineer Your Life podcast with host Lungelo KM, pulls back the curtain on one of South African television’s most daring storylines.
The scene, which featured Mngqolo’s character Senzo locking lips with Zolisa Xaluva’s character, Jason, was one of the first portrayals of a male same-sex relationship on primetime television. While it was hailed as a landmark for LGBTQIA+ visibility, the actor behind the role has now confessed to being gripped by fear over the potential public backlash.
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“I Was Scared of the Fallout” Thami Mngqolo On Kiss Scene With Zolisa Xaluva
Mngqolo did not shy away from describing the palpable sense of dread that preceded the filming of the intimate moment. He revealed that his mind immediately turned to the real-world consequences that actors sometimes face from viewers who cannot distinguish between an artist and the character they portray.
He stated: “I was scared of what the fallout might be. Because you’ve heard all sorts of stories, like Grace’s character being slapped in the street because of what she did to Karabo.”
Elaborating on the complex discussions that took place behind the scenes, the actor added:
“There was so much back and forth about the right way to treat it. We were all very aware of the significance, and the pressure was immense to get it right, not just for the story, but for what it meant to so many people.”
Mngqolo peeled back the layers of professional acting to reveal the very human hesitation that stretched a simple scene into a marathon filming session.
He revealed: “We took two hours to film a scene that should’ve taken 15 minutes. There were nerves, hesitations and just trying to get it right, not just for ourselves, but for what it represented.”
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A Legacy of Pride and Progress
Despite the initial fear and the arduous filming process, Thami Mngqolo now looks back on the groundbreaking kiss with a profound sense of accomplishment. While the scene certainly sparked heated debate and controversy in its day, it is now widely recognised as a crucial step forward for representation on South African screens.
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The post ‘I was scared’ Thami Mngqolo Opens Up About Generations Kiss Scene With Zolisa Xaluva After 17 Years appeared first on iHarare News.
