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In the vast landscape of today's content overload, where streaming platforms offer an endless array of series and movies, finding characters that resonate can be a daunting task.
Amid this sea of narratives, one character has stood out for many South Africans, offering a refreshing sense of familiarity and connection – Tsiki Tsiki from Showmax's Adulting.
Tsiki Tsiki, a quintessential kasi gent (township guy), has become a household name, and behind the character is Sayitsheni Mdakhi, a true kasi gent himself.
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Growing up in Soweto, Mdakhi reveals that Tsiki Tsiki is an embodiment of his own experiences and the vibrant community he hails from.
The character's name, inspired by the former Kaizer Chiefs player Thabo Mooki, affectionately known as Tsiki Tsiki during his playing days, pays homage to the spirited car-spinning culture of his youth.
However, it's the nuanced details drawn from Mdaki's personal life that make Tsiki Tsiki so authentic – from having a daughter named Ncumisa, a namesake of Mdakhi's niece, to the presence of a prayer warrior grandmother reminiscent of his own.
Listening to Mdakhi articulate his creative process sheds light on why Tsiki Tsiki feels so grounded and relatable. In a media landscape flooded with characters that often feel distant and unrelatable, Mdaki's commitment to authenticity stands out.
Adulting itself revolves around a group of male friends navigating the challenges of adulthood in Cyril Ramaphosa's economy.
Mdakhi, drawing from his experiences as an airline attendant, strives to create characters that resonate universally. His observations of people worldwide revealed a surprising commonality in struggles related to relationships, finances and car problems, inspiring him to bridge these cultural gaps through relatable characters.
"That you can go to a place such as Guangzhou in China and find a gent who is just like a Vusi you know from eZola in Soweto, in mannerisms, the life problems he has with his relationships, finances and car problems.”
He says:
Mdakhi has been involved in the entertainment industry since 2005, starring in shows such as Yizo Yizo, Rhythm City, Home Affairs, Tsha Tsha and a personal favourite of mine, Isibaya.
He emphasises the importance of character-driven narratives. He shies away from plot-driven stories, preferring to let characters take the lead. This philosophy stems from his personal preferences in literature and television, favouring first-person point-of-view narratives.
Currently, Mdakhi is immersed in the creation of a new series with Seriti Films, a 13-part detective-procedural show.
Keeping the details under wraps, he promises a uniquely South African take on the genre, aiming to evoke the excitement reminiscent of classic shows such as New York Undercover and local favourites such as Black Cat, Ikati Elimnyama.
In addition to his involvement in BET's upcoming Queendom show, featuring powerhouse actors uMadlabantu, Sindi Dlathu, Linda Mtoba and Nhlanhla Kunene, who plays Tsiki Tsiki in Adulting, Mdakhi has embarked on a new venture – Stop Nonsense Media.
READ: Sjava, Sindi Dlathu, Linda Mtoba to feature in new BET Africa's star-studded daily drama Queendom
Together with established writer Lunga Radebe, they are eager to explore the multitude of possibilities that lie ahead. Mdakhi's journey from portraying characters on screen to shaping them behind the scenes has been marked by a commitment to relatability and authenticity.
As he continues to contribute to the South African entertainment landscape, audiences can expect more character-driven stories that resonate across cultural and societal boundaries, making each narrative a shared human experience.
