Gay kiss fires up the fans of Rhythm City

15 May 2008- South Africa- Imagine this! One minute two men are caught up in a heated argument about homosexuality, and the next they are locked in a passionate kiss.

This was the scene on the prime-time e.tv soapie Rhythm City last week that got TV viewers talking.

The protagonists were Stone (played by Zenzo Ngqobe) and Thula (Wright Ngubeni). Thula’s unemployed mother is bedridden by HIV/Aids, and to make ends meet he is selling his body to a married man. Not even his best childhood pal, Charlotte (Stone’s girlfriend) played by Nosipho Nkelemba, knows about the big secret.

When Stone confronts Thula about the prostitution, there is an exchange of words and Stone suddenly kisses his friend, Thula. Both are left staring at each other in shock.

The kiss did not last longer than five seconds, but is as big a talking point as After Nine – a locally produced short film on black gay men, screened on SABC1 last year.

In an interview this week, Ngqobe was not fazed by the attention the scene was receiving. “I’ve been getting different opinions from people I meet in the street.

“Some think it was too graphic and shocking for a show that airs at 6.30pm,” he said.

“Personally, I think it wasn’t too graphic. In their subtle way, the producers did their bit to open a window for the audience to what homosexuality is about. Most fans were happy with that scene.”

The Tsotsi star was told about the kissing scene as early as last year and given time to think about it.

“It was a bit uncomfortable at the beginning. Wright and I never spoke about it until the day of the shoot,” he said. “We spent more time working on the dialogue and only did one take for the kiss. Later we shared a beer and laughed about it.”

Launched in July last year, Rhythm City airs every day and revolves around the Rhythm City music industry and the trials and tribulations of those who are trying to break into the business.

Ngqobe said his character was going through a tough time. He is prone to snapping at his family, and has become an introvert.

“He is definitely confused, but not crazy. ”

Meanwhile, Stone’s girlfriend, Charlotte, is caught up in the middle and must choose between Stone and her longtime friend, Thula. “There’s no right or wrong way of handling the situation, but I think Charlotte is doing the best she can,” said Nkelemba.

“She is in love, and tends to be needy. If I were to advise her, I’d tell her to learn to put herself first.

“She shouldn’t forget about herself because of love.

“Why does she have to choose between the two important men in her life when she can have them both at once?”

Charlotte started out on the show as an innocent schoolgirl.

“My character is still the girl- next-door but has also grown,” said Nkelemba. “She changed a lot of stereotypes, like how township girls who go to Model- C schools are expected to speak with an accent.”

Nkelemba said there were more troubles looming ahead for her character, Charlotte.

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