Ayanda’s new doccie puts spotlight on GBV
ACTOR Ayanda Makayi is the host of a new three-part documentary that will hit the small screens this Tuesday and Wednesday.
Ayanda, popularly known for starring in productions like Ashes to Ashes, Mfolozi Street, MTV Shuga: Down South and more will be starring and producing the doccie called MTV Shuga: What Makes a Man.
The aim of the doccie is to start a conversation about the rising levels of violence against women and children in Mzansi.
It premieres on MTV on Tuesday, 1 March at 9.30pm (Central Africa Time) and Wednesday, 2 March at 10pm (West Africa Time).
The actor, who hails from Komani, in the Eastern Cape, will be joined by Andile Gaelesiwe, Big Zulu, Maglera DoeBoy, Uncle Vinny and Bujy Bikwa.
He spoke to SunBuzz about how the doccie came about.
“All this started on Instagram. I was doing a bit of self-reflection and looking at people I’ve wronged in my past. So, I was in a dilemma to say what kind of a man do I need to be for society to accept me.
“I then started the Instagram Lives. As this continued, the issues started growing bigger beyond just me. It became more about what makes a man in general in this country, especially a modern-day man,” he said.
“This got even bigger when I got my son, I thought in this climate that we live in, what kind of a man do I want him to be or what kind of role model do I want to be for him?
ALSO READ : AMERICAN DJ TO BRING KASI ALIVE
“I then started visiting schools and doing talks,” he said.
The initiative then grew bigger and into TV after his school tours.
“When visiting the schools, I realised boy children didn’t have the same programmes as girls. They needed a bigger brother.
“Having been privileged to play Sol in MTV Shuga, I approached them about this with the hope to have a project and told them I think this could have a big impact and they were excited,” said Ayanda.
The doccie has already started a conversation and controversy and Ayanda said that’s what they wanted it to do.
Last week, people on social media were upset that Bujy, who was embroiled in an assault case with businesswoman and rapper Boity, is part of the doccie.
“We didn’t want to make a happy conversation that everyone wants to hear. We wanted to provoke a conversation and it did just that.
“It has already started even before airing.
“Social media is already talking about it which is great because it’s the intention of the show. We’re not saying we can change gender-based violence or change men overnight or over three episodes.
“What we’re saying is we are evoking people to start doing some self-reflection just like how the journey started for me,” he said.
Ayanda said making the doccie has been an eye-opener for him.
“I am incredibly proud to not only have starred in this documentary series but to have been executive producer as well,” he said.
“The biggest outcome for me from this entire journey has been self-reflection and I hope we evoke the same for all South Africans.”
Catch MTV Shuga: What Makes a Man on MTV on Tuesday, 1 March at 9.30pm (Central Africa Time) and Wednesday, 2 March at 10pm. (West Africa Time).
