Article by Tumelo Mogoane
This week’s actor of the week goes to the multi-award winning South African actor, Dawn Thandeka King for her role as Mashenge on Diep City.
Dawn Thandeka King is best known for her role Mangcobo on Uzalo SABC 1 (2015-2021). She currently plays the role of Mashenge (Wife to Bonga) on Diep City Mzansi Magic.
Diep City follows the lives of young women who were forced into crime while in highschool to make ends meet. King portrays a no-nonsense Mashenge who is married to Bonga (Hamilton Dlamini). She is a determined mother of three who is attempting to uphold her family in DiepCity, which is rife with crime.
In the scene , Mashenge finally confronts Her husband Bonga (Hamilton Dlamini) about his whereabouts and lies.
At the beginning of the scene, there is tension in the room. The tension is built from King’s and eyes as she stares at Dlamini. Her steady eyes immediately give her the power in the scene and allows MaShenge to take control of the interrogation. She continues to take control of the scene through her movements, by initiating the movement around the set, for example, standing up first to move the scene.
Through the dialogue, she uses a punching rhythm of asking questions and expressing to maintain a status 10. King’s response are quick and stern, propelling the co-actor to respond without thinking. She also maintains the loudest voice when the characters are speaking over each other, further cementing the power of the character in the scene.
King is known for portraying powerful emotional scenes, this being an example of that. She trusts her choices and fully commits to them!
A special mention to Hamilton Dlamini for being a co-actor that listens and responds to their co-actor.
Thank you for your consistency and Hard work Dawn Thandeka King, Three cheers to you!!!
