When 8 o'clock was still 8 o'clock, his family would come together and watch Generations.
It was their way of bonding and interacting with each other.
Actor Malizo Mdekazi was even inspired by the cast members of the soapie to pursue a career in acting. He acted in a few productions until 2016 when he couldn’t get any role. Then he decided that he was done with acting.
Now his family sits in the lounge and watches him on the biggest soapie in the country, reliving their old memories.
“It was always my dream to be part of Generations, from the time I was in high school. And when Generations: The Legacy started years ago, I went for auditions, but they didn’t take me. Now at 35 years old, I am part of a soapie that plays at a prime-time slot.”
He says it was not all rosy, and it is a blessing to be part of the soapie at this age after all that he has gone through.
"I now appreciate what I am doing," he tells Drum.
Read more | Thuso Mbedu to star alongside Emelia Jones in HBO crime drama series
Malizo is a co-founder of a clothing brand called Wh?Not Push Store that he started during the global pandemic when he was going through depression and almost committed suicide.
“At the beginning of my career, I had it all. And when the gigs stopped coming, I had to decide if I would become homeless or go back home and try to pick myself up again. I went back home; they welcomed me, but I was ashamed. I spent most of my time indoors until I met my business partner, co-founder of Wh?Not Push Store, Rabelani Mphephu, whom I met at the gym and he saved my life.”
That is when he started a YouTube channel and started posting skits of them acting and he fell in love with acting again and thought maybe he should go back and audition.
Speaking to Drum, Malizo says last year December he decided to be intentional with his goals.
“Last year I got a supporting role in Mzansi Magic’s IZulu noMhlaba that I got myself, but then I left the production. So, this year I have been doing a lot of self-development reading a lot of self-help books. Then in August I woke up from a nap, I was alone in the room, and I heard a voice that said now I am ready to take on a new role. And the soapie that I want to be part of is Generations: The Legacy. I wrote it down in my diary.”
He then started to look for the casting director of the soapie and sent his portfolio. He plays Patrick, and he says the role reminds him of when he was younger and would do anything for success.
“I got a good response. I was called for an audition, and a few days later I got feedback that they liked me but I was too young for the character there is another character that is coming, which is Patrick.”
A few weeks later he got a call that he got the role as Patrick, and he is now part of the cast of the soapie.
Read more | Thabiso Mamabolo builds a resort in his hometown – ‘This is very personal for me’
He started shooting with the production in September and made his debut last month.
“I didn’t tell anyone that I was shooting with Generations, and when they saw it, they were so proud. My mother called me by the character’s name and that made me so happy because we have fond memories of watching the show. Now I will watch the show with them. I am happy for this opportunity, and I am happy that it came when I am wiser and have a clear understanding of what I want in life. And my family gets to witness my success, I am grateful for that.”
Malizo says he almost became a Patrick, but now he understands life better. He says now he wants to use his platform to motivate young kids to follow their dreams.
“We have young people who have dreams but are also exposed to drugs and alcohol. I am going to open a shop at Bara Mall which will also be a place to motivate young people to never give up on themselves and to focus. There are a lot of pressures out there and when you are in the industry you see things that can push people to end up having bad habits.”
