When he is not in a fashion house or busy ruining Christmas, Motlatsi Mafatshe has his hands full making music. Now he's making space for a new project in his busy schedule, presenting season 2 of Unefa as it returns to Mzansi Magic.
We catch him while he is finishing shooting the third installment of How To Ruin Christmas, which will be released in December.
“Even though we are quiet we are working, we are pushing,” he tells Drum.
He says they are almost done shooting the second season of his reality show, Unefa. It is a feel-good show that provides the audience with warmth, emotion and positivity as they watch people’s lives change for the better, possibly forever. The show sees unsuspecting people learn that they have an inheritance they did not know about.
“It’s all about good vibes and positivity. There is so much going on in the world, so be to part of a show that literally improves people’s lives is a blessing.”
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On the show, Motlatsi wears the disguise of an old man which was confusing for some viewers in the first season, but he explains that it’s an element they use to get people comfortable.
“When we get to people, they think it is a show about grief and we are going to help them deal with the loss of a loved one. So they feel comfortable speaking to this old man they do not know instead of an actor.
“Then later we reveal who I am and what the show is about and it's almost like a double surprise for our guests. It becomes something special.”
He says he is not fazed by people who are not happy with the disguise on social media.
“The audience knows its not some old man and we know they know. We cannot focus on what Twitter people say when Twitter people are not even a fraction of people who watch TV. The majority of the country is not on Twitter, so it cannot be the benchmark for the things or the reason we change things. Twitter trends are misleading, and their opinion is not the population’s opinion. We change real people’s lives every week, that’s what matters,” he adds.
He says the disguise is an extension of his acting capabilities because he stays in character the whole time.
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The Monate Fela hitmaker says his fans can expect to see more of him as the year goes on because he has been busy and “TV things take time before the make it to the screen”. He is also plays Molefe on House of Zwide and will be in the upcoming season of Black Tax later this year.
As if that's not enough to keep him on his toes, he's also promising fans more music.
Among other things, he has produced a film which features the late Patrick Shai.
“He was part of the project, and we want to honour him with it. I went to his house to ask him, he agreed, and he did it for free. A Journey of a 9mm will be out soon.”
He’s happy that the entertainment industry has been opened up completely as Covid-19 regulations and restrictions have been relaxed.
“I’m excited that ispan has been opened. But I am generally sad that arts and culture are not taken seriously in this country. The government keeps proving that they do not care about artists. We need God for a divine intervention or even a saving grace from Elon Musk.”
Unefa season 2 will premier on Wednesday 20 July at 8pm.
