He's been with Muvhango since 2000. Gabriel Temudzani today is known as Muvhango's Chief Azwindini who favours his step-sister Agnes over his late sister Lufuno and murder allegations levelled against Agnes couldn't stop him from standing by his favourtite sister's side.
Mulalo (Sydney Ramakuela) Brenda Mukwevho who played Lufuno and is now the director of the show and Chief Azwindini (Gabriel)
Since joining the show a decade ago, Gabs has become one of role models to young people in Venda and elsewhere proving that hard work does pay off.
Shielding Agnes from a jail sentence, actors paid late, show "shutting down", Gabriel's real life sweetheart, charity and attention from viewers! Gabs talks about these and more in this no-punches pulled interview, even though I'm the talkative one.
Why is Chief Azwindini siding with Agnes on her trial where she faces charges of murdering the chief’s sister?
Because he believes she wouldn’t do such a thing, and she’s always been his favourite sister. The bond they share doesn’t allow him to believe she could be so vindictive.
Wouldn’t you say in real life one can easily side with their immediate family members in matters regarding family politics and more so when one’s mother’s influence is involved?
Surely, you can. We all have favourites in our families, so you’re more likely to side with them in family politics. I think it happens in most families, though you can love all your siblings, one of them will always be your favourite no matter what.
Some would say the chief is a lucky man because he is allowed to have more than one wife. How does playing a role where your character has two wives make you feel? Does he love them equally?
He’s a lucky man indeed. Playing such a role is challenging, but at the same time it’s a privilege. Chief Azwindini doesn’t love his wives equally, it’s impossible. There’s always that someone he feels more comfortable with, and prefers better than the other. However, I wont mention which one he loves more, it might get him into trouble with the other lol.
Vha-Musanda looking wow in this suit.
Where do you get your frame of reference for playing the chief so eloquently?
You think I’m eloquent? Thanks you man. Well, I think every man wants to be in power and be in charge, one way or the other. That said, it becomes easier to portray the role. It feels good to have power and have everyone listen to you and obey you, so that encourages me to do justice to the character.
You have been with the show since the year 2000. How is the journey so far?
It’s been a bumpy ride with a lot of challenges, but it’s also been a learning curve. I’ve had a few setbacks, but at the end of the day, I’ve learnt a lot and made friends in the industry. And I’ve had lots of fun with my colleagues, we’re like family.
Muvhango is notorious for sometimes not paying its actors in time as per media reports and is famous for axing actors. How does the notoriousness and fame affect cast morale respectively or you as an individual for that matter? No modesty please!
We do have our differences, but which production doesn’t? There’s office politics in every company. We certainly do have ups and downs, but we manage to work through them and have an understanding in the end, hence Muvhango is still standing. Of course it would affect you as a person when there are some misunderstandings, but you have to be professional at all times.
Vho-Masindi (Reginah Nesengani) with Gabriel on location shoot.
The Sowetan reported on 6 August 2010 that you guys were unpaid for three months. Why are you guys still with the show if that’s the situation?
I’ve grown to learn that the South African press can sometimes not be reliable; they can write whatever they want, just to sell their papers. No offence to you Makisto. We were not working for 3 months, and we’re freelancers, so as a freelancer, if you don’t work, you don’t get paid and we knew that. And I can safely say, that was one of the differences we had, but in the end it was sorted out. Moreover, I think that’s the most important thing, sorting things out.
I do know that you guys were on production break from August until end-October because you sometimes film for a maximum of five/six months in advance. Then came extensive media reports that the show was closing down and I was like geez man, not Muvhango again. I read the story in the Sowetan at the office and I was like oh please. I again read the story in the Move! Magazine while buying my groceries at Shoprite and I was like, what’s the news here if not the truth. Do you guys get asked about this kind of bad publicity by viewers?
Naturally, yes. Viewers are concerned about the production and the show. They love and appreciate our work. So they get worried when they hear something bad about it.
The tabloids allege that when Muvhango actors appear in Sunday papers with their dirty laundry, their days on the show are numbered. Is that why we never see or read about you and your colleagues in showbiz events?
I disagree, I have been invited to events before and I am still part and parcel of Muvhango.
Gabriel on an outing with buddies
I personally feel that if I am not paid when I’m supposed to be paid, the matter can become a serious one. Who do you guys approach when you have grievances?
Our bosses, who are based at Word of Mouth Productions, since we’re contracted to them.
I do know that it isn’t all doom and gloom with the show. For instance, I know that Muvhango does nurture young talent and there is no debate about that, well at least for me. How has Muvhango had a positive impact on your life.
I appreciate it when you say the show does nurture raw talent. Well, I’ve been with Muvhango for 10 years and I have learnt a lot in the process. I’ve grown as a person and I’m where I am today mostly because of the things I learnt from working for Muvhango.
I do know that the show does a lot of charity work with various shelters. How does interacting with young and fragile souls shape your view on life?
Seeing those helpless souls who don’t have the kind of opportunities I’ve been afforded with, makes me feel so blessed. I appreciate what I have more and I know that I didn’t do much to deserve it, God has blessed me and I shouldn’t take that for granted. And I’d like to encourage every person to do like wise. “Zwanda zwi a tanzwana.” (For non-Venda understand-ers, that’s loosely translated as hands wash each other)
Your Facebook relationship status says you are in a relationship. Tell us all the juicy details like where you guys met, your first date and kiss with her, who initiated the kiss and a whole lot of other gossip and please don’t hide her name.
I’m in a very good relationship and I’m very happy with my woman. Her name is… unfortunately, that’s all you’ll hear for now. Watch the space! (So bloggers, it means he will tell us in the future and I will ensure we become the first to publish such news)
You have over 500 friends on Facebook and 85% of them are probably Venda and each time you post a status update, a whole lot of people comment though they were not gonna do so if you weren’t a TV star. Do you get that kind of attention when you walk on the streets of Venda in your village?
Lol *laughing* So you’re scrutinising me on Facebook? I must delete you as one of my friends. *wink*. I do get that kind of attention everywhere I go, but Venda takes the trophy. It’s amazing how people would notice me when I least expect it. But it’s good to know that people appreciate my work, it gives me the zeal and the oomph to do more.
Strictly dancing with co-star Pfuluwani (Azwi Malaka)
I do know that there will be some sort of a lifted veil come Muvhango 2011. If you were offered an opportunity to pick a third wife for Vha-Musanda who will be doing kissing scenes with him, who would it be excluding Meiki (You do know that I have a crush on Nthabi Mphahlele though her TV presenter boyfriend beat me to it)?
I don’t know hey, I haven’t thought about that. But I think it’d be nice to break the stereotype and get the chief someone from a different culture. It’d bring more drama and Masindi will definitely have a fit, and that’s always good for the show. Thathe would be up in arms. I should engage my producer on this one. Wena Makisto you wasted time with Nthabi because you always dragged your feet when it came to her. We could be talking something else by now. But you must now focus on your girlfriend and your daughter Keitumetse. I don't want to hear any funny stories. *You should have seen my face and body language as I was blushing*
Tell us about where you come from and the kind of a teen you were in high school.
I come from Tshivhilidulu in Venda. I was just a normal kid with a normal life. I’ve always dreamt of being an actor, hence I participated in all kinds of school drama activities. Thank God my dream has come true.
Take us through your audition for the show and your first make up, camera and action with Muvhango.
It was my first Television audition, so I was quite nervous. But I knew that opportunities like that come once in a while, hence I tried to give it my all, and hey, look where I am today. My first day at work; I was nervous as well. I didn’t know what to expect, or if I’ll do things right. I was like a village boy dumped in a big city with long buildings, not knowing what to do or where to go. *Laughing* I remember when I was told not to look at a camera while we were shooting, I mean how do you put a camera in front of me and expect me not to look at it? It was all foreign to me. Nevertheless, with time I got used to it and comfortable and started enjoying it.
The Chief can easily scare commoners
Tell us about your favourite things including cars, nice girls, movies, music etc etc.
I’m not into girls per se, one woman is enough for me. She’s all I need. I enjoy watching movies and exploring all the beautiful places, watching nice views and just looking at how beautiful nature is. I love the executive car I’m driving at the moment, she drives like a charm. I am driving a Honda Accord executive that I bought in 2007. (I asked him how much he bought the car for and we argued about it for 3 minutes and he still didn’t wanna tell me so I let it go. You should have heard him being modest that he isn't a schelb but just an actor and how he doesn't like showing off).
Who is Gabriel away from the city and cameras?
You mean the man of the moment? ‘Laughing’. I am a God fearing man, I believe that it’s only through the grace of God that I’m who I am today, and I’ve been blessed with everything I have. I’m not here out of luck, I’ve been truly blessed. I enjoy spending time with my family and my woman. I would sit with her for the whole day and just talk. We enjoy going to the mall and have so lots of fun doing nothing in particular. We go on vacations on our spare times and holidays. I like chilling with the boys as well on some weekends and just talk about guy’s stuff.