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Generations fans, relax! The soapie’s heart-throb, Vuyo Dabula, who plays the diabolical character Gadaffi, is going nowhere.
Four months ago, he confirmed he was leaving Generations – The Legacy. The 38-year-old actor was quoted as saying he believed the quality of his acting would be compromised if he stayed on the show.
But Dabula, who was voted Mzansi’s Hunk of the Year at the Feather Awards last month, told City Press on Thursday that he had changed his mind and was not ready to leave.
Dabula spoke to City Press at the Generations offices this week. “I just felt that it was too soon. I had introduced myself to my new fans and the Generations family. I have already made a connection with them.”
Another reason is the popularity he is enjoying from being on TV every night of the week. He admits that Generations – The Legacy gave him his big break on TV.
“Generations has certainly made a lot more people notice me and it has expanded my brand.
“It has made it a lot easier for me to pitch and approach people about business,” he said, referring to freelance work and masters of ceremonies gigs he has secured.
“Now people treat me differently after Generations. I have been getting a lot more attention and respect. It is certainly easier [for me] to get through the gate than it is for the next person.
“I am not going anywhere anytime soon,” he said.
So does that mean Dabula was persuaded to stay on to save the show?
Generations – The Legacy publicity manager Gaaratwe Mokhethi said on Friday: “Vuyo is staying because we have a good working relationship with him.
“He is popular with the viewers and that is why it was not a hard decision to reconsider him,” she said.
Since June this year, the show has lost its top spot on SABC1 to new telenovela Uzalo.
Uzalo has become the most watched show on South African TV, with an average daily viewership of 7.6 million recorded between November 16 and 22, while Generations – The Legacy sat at 6.1 million, according to ratings from the SA TV Authority.
However, Generations creator and producer Mfundi Vundla has never bothered about Uzalo usurping his long-held number-one spot. Last month he told City Press that the new Generations was still one of Mzansi’s top shows.
Asked if there was any truth to the rumours that he wanted to leave the show after being offered a role in a film, Dabula denied them.
He declined to reveal the name of the film, or his role in it.
“I think there was a bit of miscommunication about the preparation work [on the film] that had to be done.
“I had to learn how to ride a horse in a short period of time and get acquainted with the horse that I was going to be using,” he explained.
He said the film was shot in Durban and he had to fly down, but he didn’t have time to prepare for the role.
Although many consider him to be a hottie, he doesn’t consider himself one. “People who say I am a hottie are convincing me, because I don’t think I am. But I think I work out hard and I look good under certain circumstances,” he blushed.
Dabula said the most disturbing thing a fan has said to him was that if she caught him alone, she would rape him. “That was really shocking,” he said. “But the girls throw themselves at me all the time.”
His fans do love him.
Paballo Ramatlotlo (20) from Pretoria East said she only watches the show because of Dabula. “He is hot, and he brings a different edge and element to the show.
“Besides his looks, he is talented. I am looking forward to seeing more of him,” she said.
Diski Divas’ Felicia Modise (29) from Johannesburg says there is no Generations without Dabula. “Gadaffi is good-looking and I can’t wait for him to get out of jail,” she says.
Another trait Modise likes about the actor is that he works hard at his craft.
Dabula’s New Year’s resolutions are: “To love myself enough to be hard on myself, and to be more disciplined.”
He is also passionate about fitness. “I am a health freak, and I am still trying to figure out how to get into the fitness world and package my brand.
“It will certainly make it easier to place my brand alongside others, unlike before [the acting].”
He has projects lined up for the New Year. “I may be shooting a film with producer and director Akin Omotoso. I am looking forward to that,” he said.
