Renowned actress Zizipho Buti shares thrilling details about leading a new series, “Soft Life”, and hopes that its story will encourage people to have honest conversations about some of the crucial subjects it tackles.
The show, which will debut on Showmax on November 18, centres on Owami Gqoji, who enters the mysterious world of high society companionship in an effort to pay off her mother’s mounting medical expenditures.
Owami has to hide her double existence because she fears everything she values could be destroyed by her new career.
Buti is no stranger to the screens; she made her television debut in the Mzansi Magic series “Nkululeko” and later made an appearance on the regional soap opera “Generations: The Legacy”.
Explaining her new role, she says the character she portrays has made her realise that there are so many young people who have found themselves in such compromising situations.
“I hope that the story will encourage people to have honest conversations about this.
“Soft Life’ is a forward-thinking show where we are dealing with everyday issues happening in society, holding up a mirror to the public,” says Buti.
“It was interesting for me to see how far this subculture [if we can coin it that] has grown since my younger days and how it’s shown so openly in comparison to a few years ago.”
Mampho Brescia (Iris in “Isibaya”) plays Zam, the owner of a business called NubiaBlaq, which is a cover for her escort agency, The Girlfriend Experience (GFE). Zam is sophisticated yet strict, ruling her establishment with an iron fist. Katlego Lebogang (“Spinners”) plays Zinhle, the Queen Bee at GFE, who becomes a mentor to Owami.
SAFTA winner Nambitha Mpumlwana (“Saints & Sinners”, “Yizo Yizo”, “Tsotsi”, “The Lab”) plays Judge Iris Makhaza, the overprotective mom of Owami’s boyfriend.
Created by Vusi Zion for Afriprime, the 13-episode drama is produced by Urban Brew Studios.
SAFTA winners Nozipho Nkelemba (“Gomora”, “Umakoti Wethu”) and Nthabiseng Mokoena (“Law, Love, and Betrayal”, “The Wife”) direct the series.
“I am excited about the great entertainment that the talent brings to the storyline,” says Mokoena.
“The cast really immersed themselves in the characters they portrayed; it was awesome to see what they are capable of. More than anything, viewers should also look forward to the new faces who will bring much joy, laughter, and sometimes heartache to our screens.’’
The Star