Bonko Khoza says of all the characters he's played, portraying Mqhele Zulu in the Showmax original series The Wife was among the hardest.
“Committing to a guy like Mqhele from a psychological point of view and from an appearance point of view, there was work we had to do [to get fans to differentiate between the two]. Mqhele was hard-core. We built Mqhele so far from Bonko that I could spare myself," he told TshisaLIVE.
In August 2022 Bonko bid farewell to the drama series after playing Mqhele for two seasons. Wiseman Mcube was later confirmed as taking on the role for coming seasons.
“Mental health comes first for everybody. I wasn't in a good space ... was it the fame, workload or fatigue? I think it was a combination of things. I think the point is I didn't see myself fit to deliver to the people who look up to me.
“I don't ever want to feel I'm doing things for money. I never want to shortchange people who support me, and in that same breath, I want to preserve myself for them because I can be Mqhele forever or realise that I'm only 32 and there's so much more. Things are going to come, but Bonko is only one n*gg*, so if I compromise my mental health or myself for one job, I am denying the audience a lifelong experience."
Watch the video below:
WATCH | Bonko Khoza reflects on the hardships of playing Mqhele in 'The Wife'
Image: Instagram/Bonko Khoza
Bonko Khoza says of all the characters he's played, portraying Mqhele Zulu in the Showmax original series The Wife was among the hardest.
“Committing to a guy like Mqhele from a psychological point of view and from an appearance point of view, there was work we had to do [to get fans to differentiate between the two]. Mqhele was hard-core. We built Mqhele so far from Bonko that I could spare myself," he told TshisaLIVE.
In August 2022 Bonko bid farewell to the drama series after playing Mqhele for two seasons. Wiseman Mcube was later confirmed as taking on the role for coming seasons.
“Mental health comes first for everybody. I wasn't in a good space ... was it the fame, workload or fatigue? I think it was a combination of things. I think the point is I didn't see myself fit to deliver to the people who look up to me.
“I don't ever want to feel I'm doing things for money. I never want to shortchange people who support me, and in that same breath, I want to preserve myself for them because I can be Mqhele forever or realise that I'm only 32 and there's so much more. Things are going to come, but Bonko is only one n*gg*, so if I compromise my mental health or myself for one job, I am denying the audience a lifelong experience."
Watch the video below:
READ MORE:
EXCLUSIVE | Bonko Khoza and his wife welcome their baby girl
LISTEN | Bonko Khoza gets candid about fame and how acting saved his life
‘This character does not belong to me’ — Bonko Khoza on The Wife’s Mqhele
‘You’re a gift to this industry’ — Bonko Khoza gushes over Akin Omotoso
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Most read
Latest Videos