There’s no wedding without worries
Mokgadi Matloga (Pebetsi Nolo Matlaila) and Leelo Maputla (Eric Macheru) finally get to make it official in Skeem Saam. Picture: Skeem Saam Mokgadi Matloga (Pebetsi Nolo Matlaila) and Leelo Maputla (Eric Macheru) finally get to make it official in Skeem Saam. Picture: Skeem Saam
After many trials and tribulations, true love wins as Mokgadi Matloga and Leeto Maputla exchange their vows in Skeem Saam’s first major wedding storyline, writes Debashine Thangevelo
IT has been a romance fraught with family drama for Leeto Maputla (Eric Macheru) and Mokgadi Matloga (Pebetsi Nolo Matlaila).
While planning their white wedding, the couple have had to deal with Meikie Maputla’s (Leeto’s mother) strong disapproval of his bride-to-be’s mother, Mary Matloga. Let’s just say, Meikie’s husband had a little indiscretion a while back.
Then there is the usual problem of everyone wanting to have their say on the wedding matters. As the big day approaches, our two sweethearts find themselves in different headspaces…
THE DISTRACTED GROOM
Macheru has been with Skeem Saam since it first debuted on our screens. And in that time, his character has grown immensely.
He says: “Ja, it’s been quite a leap. Leeto has always been perceived as this bad boy. Now he shows a responsible side. And he is getting married. I feel, all the misconceptions around him are finally being addressed.”
On containing Leeto’s meddlesome mother, he laughs: “Meikie would probably never approve of anybody marrying her son. She loves her son that much.”
Although he is looking forward to exchanging vows with Mokgadi, he is preoccupied with his criminal past coming back to haunt him.
He says: “Leeto has so many secrets. Some are dangerous. Some are quite terrible. Even me, as the actor, I still don’t know some of the stuff he has done. But he really does love Mokgadi and he wants this.”
Meanwhile, Darika, the Thailand drug lord he will soon be testifying against, has been looking at ways to take him out. Unfortunately, his attempts to date have seen Leeto’s best friend and girlfriend become casualties in the war.
Naturally, he is a bit distracted and is constantly looking over his shoulder.
The actor continues: “They have just tried to poison him. His friend and girlfriend took bullets meant for him. Now Interpol wants to put him in witness protection. He is dealing with a lot.”
Interestingly, Matlaila, who plays his fiancée, is Macheru’s good friend in real life.
He says: “It’s amazing. I’ve known her since primary school. We are very different to our characters in real life. What’s weird is the fact that she is a friend and now I have to kiss her on screen. But it’s been fun and is a beautiful, growing relationship.”
As for what viewers can anticipate from the huge wedding storyline, he admits: “The whole set up is just amazing. The production team went all out for this one. You are not going to want to miss a thing. Of course, there has to be some drama. And it’s a few uninvited guests… related to me. But, in the end, love conquers all!”
Although, Mokgadi is still in the dark about the trouble Leeto is in.
THE ANXIOUS BRIDE
It’s the day every bride dreams of. But for Mokgadi, planning her wedding has been a nightmarish journey of compromises and chaos.
Matlaila, a former radio DJ, says: “It’s been crazy. The one thing she wants is to be officially tied to this man and have a ceremony that will be memorable. It’s just been too much for her to deal with.”
By the way, this is her first big TV break and Matlaila says it has been a wonderful experience absorbing the knowledge from her co-stars and directors.
On her introduction being much less daunting as it is opposite someone she has known for most of her life, the actress reveals: “At the end of the day, Eric is professional. The one thing I was grateful for was his patience in teaching me the tricks of the trade, about the industry and work-related matters. I love being in the creative industry. Getting this role has worked to my advantage. I’m in love with the art of storytelling, more so, because I understand the discipline and the industry better.”
Back to her character’s dilemma with keeping her mother and mother-in-law at arms length. She notes: “It has been an emotional roller-coaster having to battle them both. It’s also been a cocktail of nerves and fear.
“And the nerves skyrocket when things like the wedding dress go missing. She worries that her husband doesn’t share the same emotional space as her. Yes, she gets cold feet and almost has a Runaway Bride situation,” she adds.
Thankfully, Leeto’s honeymoon tickets to the Bahamas allay her concerns.
As for what viewers can look forward to in the wedding episode, Matlaila offers: “It’s a wedding built around a back-to-basics kind of love. I’m so glad it is screened in the month of love. And it is a wedding extravaganza. The cake is an art piece on its own. The bride and groom look amazing in their designer outfits. Everybody is dressed to the nines. You also have the emotional part with the vows, first kiss… My favourite part, though, is their first dance with Ringo Madlingozi singing. It is a goose bump moment.”
Skeem Saam airs on SABC1 at 6.30pm.