Actor Sicelo Buthelezi says he was recently “harassed” by a Skeem Saam viewer of the SABC1 show.
SICELO BUTHELEZI: ‘KINDA FELT SOMETHING INSIDE’
The actor Sicelo Buthelezi reveals on his social media that he was called a “Skeem Saam rapist” by a fan because of his character, Toby.
“Just walked inside a garage and the guy standing next in line greets me like ‘Eyy ke wena rapist ya #SkeemSaam’. Kinda felt something inside hey. I’m just an actor bro,” writes Buthelezi.
In the storyline, Toby raped his girlfriend Ntswaki (Lethabo Mekoa) after she changed her mind about sleeping with him.
She misses calls from the Maputlas and tells Toby she has to go home. But her boyfriend, who has no idea she’s underage goes through with it, without her consent.
Viewers of the show comforted the actor by revealing that it’s a compliment when fans “harass you” for your character because it means you’re convincing.
Sicelo’s co-star Hellen Motsuki, who plays Melita on the show was also previously harassed by viewers of the educational soapie, who called her a home wrecker in public.
‘SKEEM SAAM’ FANS RESPOND TO ACTOR’S POST
@bushy_cor: “An even greater testament of how well you portrayed the character that it could not be distinguished that you were acting.”
@sharon_dikeledi: “Milita once said a woman hit her with a trolley and said “o cheate’r le Mr Kgomo wena”?”
@AfrikanChefZA: “At least you didn’t get slapped like Pamela Nomvete for her role as Ntsiki Lukhele.”
@Timothy1923: “They don’t remember the brilliant “Teddy” but a character that will stick with you for some time now.”
@purple01leopard: “You’re crushing it. Obakeng from e.tv Scandal! used to be insulted for DV because he triggered people with his performance. Job well done.”
@NtlharhiSambo: “I thought about how you are being perceived after tecent scenes. it’s a very sensitive topic with hardly any faces to it and a huge sacrifice in order to educate others. I don’t know you IRL but so proud of you for getting us talking about it so much!
PREVIOUS TV ROLES
The fan-favourite actor Sicelo Buthelezi secured the role of Tobias “Toby” Maswahla in Skeem Saam this March.
Buthelezi tells TshisaLIVE that joining the SABC1 soapie has been amazing and he’s enjoying it.
“Having joined the Skeem Saam family has been amazing. It’s a different environment but it feels like home. I’m enjoying it.”
Buthelezi made his debut on Tuesday, 2 April as university student, Tobias who got expelled at a Johannesburg university. He moved to Turfloop to live with his mother, Evelyn Maswahla (Vele Manenje).
TVSA reports that Skeem Saam marks Buthelezi’s third TV role after his roles in Gomora and Now and Never.
Buthelezi portrayed the teenage character of Teddy in Gomora for four seasons in the Mzansi Magic telenovela.