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.
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 S_exiest 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.
Over the past week, Dabula has been embroiled in damning media reports that allege that he refused to hug a ‘smelly fan’ during the Metro FM Music Awards that took place in Durban two weeks ago. He has strongly slammed these reports as false.
“It’s fabrication, there was no incident. None so ever,” Dabula banishes.
Below, read Dabula’s lengthy Facebook post in which he further rubbishes the reports.
I don’t know why you are spreading falsehood about me… Some say it’s for sales. Some say to try and take away the Joop thing. Some say to destroy me. it’s perfectly okay with me… here I am… but You (no inclusion intended)…. you see, to me the word fan is such an injustice, let people be just that, people. Don’t reduce folk to the word fans. Are they not mothers and fathers? Are they not brothers and sisters to someone? That’s how I see it and in fact that’s how I expect to be seen and treated… Why not? But we are aware of your recklessness past and present and so I do expect you to stay where you are… take what you want… BUT MY KINDNESS AND RESPECT TO PEOPLE STAYS WITH ME