Noko Mashilo
Veteran actor Thabo Mnguni has reflected on nearly a decade of playing Mr Mbatha on Uzalo.
He credits preparation, authenticity and respect for viewers for the enduring success of one of South Africa’s most recognisable television characters.
Mnguni joined the SABC 1 soapie in Season 2. Since then, Mr Mbatha has evolved from a church member into a pastor, a traditional healer, a councillor and one of KwaMashu’s most notorious schemers.
Looking back on the journey, Mnguni described the role as one of the highlights of his career.
“It has been a wonderful journey. I learnt a lot. I made sure that whatever I did appealed to the character of Mr Mbatha,” Mnguni said.
Over the years, viewers have watched Mr Mbatha navigate dramatic twists and humorous storylines. Among the most memorable were his church leadership, his manipulation of residents and his comic “mlungu” character during the FIFA World Cup.
Mnguni admitted that portraying a traditional healer was the most demanding challenge. He said it required him to create a character from scratch.
“I knew nothing about shamanism, so I had to create the kind of shaman I wanted to be, one who also had a sense of humour. I created a shaman from KwaMashu who could even sing to appeal to the audience,” he said.
The veteran actor believes audiences respond to television in different ways. Some understand they are watching a performance. Others struggle to separate actors from the characters they portray.
He recalled being confronted by an angry woman at a shopping centre. She believed he was the dishonest man she had seen on television.
“She looked serious enough to beat me. In situations like that, you must stay calm and explain that this is only the role you play. I’m a father with children. It’s like a soccer player. When he leaves the field, he doesn’t go home and continue kicking the ball. He becomes a husband and a father,” Mnguni said.
Mnguni believes thorough preparation has been essential to making Mr Mbatha one of Uzalo’s most memorable characters.
“There is nothing better than preparing your role before going on set. Understand your character and always put viewers first. Never lie to the audience. If you don’t know something, ask the director or your fellow actors. Most importantly, respect your work,” he said.
Before joining Uzalo, Mnguni built his reputation on stage after training under legendary playwright Gibson Kente. He also credits the late actor Darlington Michaels, affectionately known as Papa G, as one of the performers who shaped his own approach to acting.
“Watching the way Papa G portrayed his character in Mama’s Love was like music to my ears and a comforting sight to my eyes. Although I never shared a stage or television screen with him, I learnt so much by studying his performances,” Mnguni said.
Before becoming Mr Mbatha, Mnguni appeared as Bra Steve in Family Bonds. He has also featured in productions including Generations, Imbewu and Shaka iLembe. He has portrayed both respected community figures and dangerous criminals.
One of his most memorable television moments came during his time on Generations. Viewers believed his character had genuinely killed another character.
“People believed I had actually killed him. I even had to go on the radio to explain that Khaphela was alive because viewers had taken the storyline personally,” he said.
Away from television, Mnguni has spent the past 20 years running AmaNguni Production. The company uses industrial theatre to educate communities on social issues. It currently works with the eThekwini Transport Authority on road safety awareness programmes at about 80 primary schools.
Mnguni said pursuing an acting career required sacrifice. After finishing high school, he left home to chase his dream at a time when acting was often viewed with suspicion because of its links to politics.
He trained under Gibson Kente and toured internationally with Ipi Ntombi as an actor and percussionist alongside Mbongeni Ngema. He also accepted every opportunity, from extra roles to major parts, to develop his craft.
Despite a career spanning decades, Mnguni believes his biggest role is still ahead of him.
“I’m not scared of any role. What I want now is an A-story where I become the steering of the story and lead it from the front,” Mnguni said.