He has been on our screens for more than twenty years, it’s no longer just about appearing on TV. It has become about answering his calling, showing up, doing what he loves while finding healing in the process.
He has played many roles before becoming the villain that everybody loves to hate – Jack Mabaso on SABC 1’s soapie Generation: The Legacy.
Jack has a ruthless, and charismatic charm that often draws viewers in, making him both dis-likable and likable at the same time. Jack Mabaso embodies the archetype of the ‘villain we love to hate’.
Renowned actor and one of Mzansi’s prolific actors, Vusi Kunene, is back on the soapie.
Speaking to Drum, he says he is happy to be back playing the most hated man in Mzansi. He says this character stuck with him even though he has played so many roles while he was not on the show. Extra’s who used to work with him on the show still call him ‘Jack’.
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“I am happy to be back. It felt like I never left; It is the same feeling one gets when they return home. I also love the way that the people have welcomed me back on the show when they heard that I was coming back.”
He says Jack comes back to pick up where he left off, as the owner of a powerful company and a notorious figure in the underground world. Jack Mabaso’s motivations are primarily driven by a desire for power and control.
“Jack has always been a villain but he has a soft spot for his family and always takes care of the people he holds dearly in his heart. He comes back with different sides always confusing his enemies, he becomes what he needs to at the time that benefits him.”
Jack’s interactions with other characters often heighten the drama. He is a master plotter, forming alliances that serve his interests then betraying them when they no longer benefit him. These tangled relationships are filled with tension and unpredictability, leading to explosive confrontations that keep viewers on the edge of their seats.
“I enjoy playing this role because it challenges me and has changed the way I approach any script as a performer. There was a time when I played a good guy, and I just mentioned in passing to my agent that one of my wishes was to play a heartless villain that everyone hates. Shortly after that, I received a call, and my agent informed me that I got a role that I always wanted, they want me at Generations to play Jack Mabaso.”
This role started as a small, however after two attempts they were convinced by his performance, and this became a recurring role because they loved him.
“Acting for this long gives me a platform to keep that burning fire within blazing. It also allows me to learn things I never thought I would learn and get to feel different emotions that are evoked by the world of the character you are playing at the time. You open yourself up to a lot of things some of them are scary, but it is the same as the journey of life. Every role has its hurdles but knowing that there are people who can relate and learn from you is soothing.”