One Weeks' Zakhele Mabasa-Mokone: "Be patient with your man"

Zakhele Mabasa-Mokone (taxi driver Skhaleni Mngomezulu in Isibaya) is currently starring in One Weeks as Fana, a charming high-school dropout from the streets of Soweto, who can’t believe his luck when he finds himself dating Lihle, a successful lawyer. 

Created, written and directed by Chris Q Radebe (Icala, Isifiso), the Showmax Original co-stars Sihle Ndaba (Uzalo, A Soweto Love Story) as Lihle and breakout star Mangaliso Aluta Mthembu as Angie, her sharp-witted 10-year-old daughter, who is helping Fana avoid losing Lihle to rich men. Siphiwe Mtshali (Generations, Rhythm City) and Mpho Malatsi (Isibaya, Rockville) also star as Fana’s friends, Smindlo and Ginger.

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Zibuyile Dladla sat down with Zakhele to find out more.

What fascinates you about Fana? 

Fana is the type of guy that I’ve come across in my life many times. He’s a guy that likes taking chances and isn’t afraid of doing so. Although Fana makes many mistakes, he’s also a lovable person because he’s so real and relatable. Whether you’re an overachiever or an average Joe, a conversation with Fana will make you realise that we all experience similar trials and tribulations. In the same breath, Fana is a constant reminder of the importance of being yourself.

Amongst his many other great attributes, I’ve also realised that Fana is not the type of guy who is into liking other women - he is loving, caring, and really wants to make his relationship with Lihle work. 

One Weeks fans love your on-screen relationship with Mangaliso Alutha Mthembu. 

Mangaliso is such a ray of sunshine and she’s so intelligent too! I was just constantly impressed by her. I also loved how much of a team player she is; I find that to be quite rare for a person so young. Mangaliso is a true gem and I’m sure we're about to see more of her on our screens.

What do you admire most about Lihle, considering that Fana makes countless mistakes in the name of love? 

What I love about Lihle is her constant decision to always choose Fana despite them being in different social hierarchies. Lihle is more educated and more financially secure than her man, but she constantly chooses to make their relationship work. There are also many external factors, like friends and family, that could easily influence Lihle to break up with Fana but through it all, she always seems to find herself back in his arms. Her love for Fana shows that no matter what a person may or may not have, at the end of the day, we’re all human and deserve to be loved. It is just now up to Fana to ensure that he does not repeat the same mistakes.

Speaking of Fana's mistakes, for the most part, he does try to right his wrongs but he tends to get led astray by his friends Smindlo and Ginger. What do you think One Weeks teaches men about friendships?

Sometimes friendships can potentially be the downfall of a person. The best thing to do about friends who negatively impact your life or relationship is to walk away; I think that's the biggest lesson any man or woman can learn about Fana's friendship with Smindlo and Ginger. However, I'm also a person who believes in second chances, so, before you walk away, assess the friendship and see if you can change your friends for the better. But, if that doesn't succeed, then the friendship should end. This is a difficult decision to make because sometimes the most hurtful breakups are the ones between friends.

I'd like to add that the ins and outs of your relationship are best kept between you and your partner; your friends don't need to know about every intricate detail of your relationship. I think it's important that your friends respect your partner; no friend should feel like they can disrespect your partner.

What advice would you give women who are dating men like Fana?

They say love is blind, right? So if you love someone, that love also needs to come with a whole lot of patience. Be patient with your man, and try to advise him on the friends he hangs out with, especially if the friends are anything like Fana's boys…

Showmax is adding a new episode of One Weeks every Monday. Binge the first four episodes here:

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