I’ll rise again, says Muvhango’s KK

Colourful Muvhango villain Khakhathi “KK” Mulaudzi, played by Macdonald Ndou, is vulnerable after an incurable disease knocked him down.

In recent episodes, a desperate KK has been forced to apologise and make amends with all those he has wronged.

Of late he has also become forgetful – sometimes even failing to remember the name of his son Kgosi (played by Tebatso Mashishi) and the promises he made to his fiancée Matshidiso (played by Buhle Samuels).

He believes that he has a fatal disease, but what he does not know is that Matshidiso and her boyfriend – who is KK’s doctor – have made it all up.

This has left many fans thinking this could be the end of his character in the weekday telenovela.

But Ndou doesn’t think so. He compares his character’s situation as being similar to a real-life drama involving a powerful person who falls from grace spectacularly but still bounces backs in a big way. “KK will bounce back,” he told City Press this week, referring to the arrogant character.

According to the 39-year-old actor, the story line reflects his personal growth and his ability to crack challenging and tough story lines. He said his growth had been massive on the show and in the industry in the 11 years he has been on Muvhango.

“If there is going to be any growth, it is to be given challenging roles and scripts, and still be able to crack them. Otherwise, there wouldn’t be any growth if I stick to the same KK and are not able to crack the given story line,” he said.

Nthabi Tau, Muvhango’s creative director, explained why the villain was now the victim: “The character is not entirely the victim but the story dates some time back,” she said.

“Years ago in one episode of the drama series, KK stole some money from his lover, Matshidiso. She left him but has now returned for revenge. She is trying to take all his assets and his money, with the help of her bae, Kutlwano.”

Tau said redeeming and punishing characters were part of the story line and every character’s role. So Matshidiso was punishing KK by poisoning him.

“He is paying for what he did to her,” Tau said.

Although Matshidiso and KK loved each other and would do anything for one another, they also fought a lot, she said.

But their love always forced them to reunite and forgive each other. They are the most exciting couple on the small screen.

According to Tau, other story lines are also being tweaked a bit as the creative team explored in-depth the aaVenda and their culture.

“In the 23 years the drama has been aired, we have not fully explored the Venda people’s culture deeply. We are now educating people more on the people of Venda,” Tau told City Press.

Without giving away too much, she said the focus was now on KK and Matshidiso’s love life and the vaVenda since it was discovered that Chief Azwindini was not a “pure Mukwevho”.

According to the Broadcast Research Council of SA, Muvhango is still one of the country’s leading programmes with more than 4 million viewers.

Apart from his acting career, Ndou has various other projects that he is involved in. However, he said he was reluctant to reveal them.

The actor claimed he had also been approached by other shows but would not go into detail about those shows or name them.

When asked what the viewers should expect in the next few months, Ndou said: “They should expect the KK they know. He will rise again – be himself again.”

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