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Sanda Shandu stars in Showmax’s Donkerbos, a murder mystery series that is currently available on the platform.
When the bodies of six children are discovered in the Donkerbos backwater forests, an outcast detective must confront her dark past, her family, and a distrustful community in order to catch the killer before another child is taken.
The actor, who plays detective Tsedza Tshivenga on the show, did a Q&A with TshisaLIVE exclusively.
Tell us about your character, detective Tsedza Tshivenga
Tsedza is Venda. He grew up in a village and made his way to Johannesburg and got into the police force quite early. He’s been through a lot and that’s his shield. The past sits with him, but he uses it to do his job, as his motivation. He’s always been an outcast, even growing up in the village, so he’s always had to fend for himself. He’s a very solitary guy. His nickname is “The Leopard”. He doesn’t let a lot faze him because he’s had to hide a lot and that’s how he navigates. He’s a very calculating guy.
How similar is Sanda to Tsedza?
I always want to try to find connections between my character and myself, but this guy, he’s actually at quite a distance. He’s very different from me. Ah man, I react to everything! I’m just loud. Tsedza is more cool and calm and holds in a lot. I vocalise my expression. With Tsedza, you see it in his eyes and that’s it. It’s been an enjoyable challenge.
How dark is Donkerbos?
Our reality is dark. I guess that’s what makes the series darker. In the real world, we hear of similar stories, and I think we become desensitised. Until it happens to you, you know? Which is a sad situation. But I think what makes it dark is because it’s real. The reality, I think, is what heightens the darkness. Like, “F*ck, this could happen. This has probably happened”.
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