Award-winning actor Thembinkosi Mthembu is currently shooting season two of Shaka iLembe. Parallel to that, he is sad about the finale of Adulting as it will not return for season three.

BITTERSWEET

He was at work when they were informed the show would no longer return for season three. “They shared the direction of the storyline and confirmed that this was the end of Adulting. It was bittersweet, but we’re ending it with a bang,” he said. “I believe I’ll work with the cast again in the future. We had great chemistry and a fantastic work ethic, so I believe this is not the last time we’ll work together.”

ART IMITATING LIFE

He also recently got married to his long-term girlfriend, breaking many hopeful hearts. Thembinkosi says marriage has been bliss and he is lucky to have married a supportive wife. “My wife was also a huge help while preparing for this role. She would assist me with my lines, and I’d ask her how she would feel if I said something a particular way. It was fun to see if I could provoke a reaction from her in the same way Bonga might from Nkanyezi.” He learned some valuable lessons in the role that he implemented in his real life. “It influenced me in many ways, especially regarding communication and balance. In marriage, both partners need each other to ensure a healthy relationship,” he said.

FOR COUPLES

In playing the character, he learned to take things one step at a time, and he advises other men to do the same. “To men, take things one step at a time. In today’s world, especially in KZN, there’s immense pressure on men,” he said. “Many of my friends have struggled with these pressures, feeling like failures if they haven’t reached a certain level of success or if they’re not attracting women. We need to return to the basics - like our fathers who worked simple jobs and provided for their families without societal pressures. If we do this, we can grow and become better men and fathers,” he added.