! a headsup that Thembsie Matu's making her debut on Rhythm City tonight (Monday, 4 August) - as mentioned when we caught up with her to give her the
Best Cameo Award.
She's playing Sis Bee, a battle-ax matron who fights the odds trying to care for patients under crazy circumsumstances.
Here's a rundown of what we can expect from her storylines, as well as news on another guest character on the beat : Mandla, played by Charles Phasha*:
Sis Bee, a church acquaintance of Mamokete Khuse (Connie Chiume), is the matron of a local government clinic. After watching her staff, supplies and budget shrink over the years she’s developed a thick hide, cynical attitude and a pragmatic approach to life and her job.
She probably once cared about her patients, but now she just can’t afford to - there’s not enough time or resources to do so. The reality she’s accepted is that there’s only so much the clinic can do for the patients with what they’ve got, and that’s not much. So that’s that.
There is a soft soul underneath the hard crustiness of Sis Bee, one she takes great pains not to expose too much to the suffering around her. She’s got several children of her own and she’s worked hard to educate them in order to give them the opportunities she never had.
One is on a tennis scholarship in the States. She’s very proud of him and the highlight of her life is a visit to him.
Tshidi (Nokuthula Ledwaba) is pushed into voluntary work at the clinic because it will look good on her CV for the university bursary that she has just been awarded - pending her matric results.
It’s going to be tough times for her, with all that cleaning of dirty linen and bedpans, juggling extra study schedules and cramming for exams.
She’s also hiding her participation in auditions for the reality TV talent show, Star Struck!, from her family - although the contest, is sometimes going to seem somewhat shallow and superficial for her, when compared to her eye-opening experiences at the clinic.
Impulsive Tshidi’s life-changing experiences will include her meeting of, and emotionally bonding with, terminally ill Mandla, with all of his pain and problems.
Her passionate undertaking to right wrongs will include roping in her entire Soweto neighbourhood.
As Tshidi gets more involved in the clinic the practical and emotional toll will radically revise her once romantic ideals about becoming a medical doctor.
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*
5 fast facts on Charles:- He’s a 24-year-old, single Leo, from Middelburg.
- He has a diploma in Speech and Drama from FUBA (Federated Union for Black Artists).
- Current projects he's involved in: the new season of A Place Called Home and coming up: Soul City 9.
- He's had guest roles on Zone 14, Generations and Dube Reloaded.
- He also writes scripts and performs in theatre and wants to produce and direct in the future.