Brenda Ngxoli

There is a scene in the last episode of the season finale of Rockville S3, Episode 13 (Ferguson Films), Lindi (Mbali Mlotshwa) and Gladys (Brenda Ngxoli) are at the Clinic for Lindi’s abortion. Brenda Ngxoli gives a powerful performance as she lets her skeletons out that she aborted a baby during her teens and as a result she can’t conceive. Her barrenness, which in hindsight, it is suggested, she brought unto herself was a source of ridicule in the community and would later cause her to lose her marriage as she trotted along through life keeping the secret to her husband that she aborted a baby during her teens. As she relates this darker chapter of her life you can’t help it but be moved. It is Gladys the loose woman, the drunkard, who speaks here, however as much as the viewer may think ill of her that, ke le kgawate, unable to hold on to other people’s secret. You will feel for her. For her human condition is brought to the spotlight for our scrutiny. Overarchingly, the viewer will find and feel an ounce of sympathy go towards these troubled women as tears roll down their cheeks drenching the hospital’s floor. But, from a performance text perspective, the solicited sympathy will linger a little a while on Gladys for as long a time as the scene persists due to the pain that has reared forward within her character and insist on staying in the midst of the event of this series’ episode. Such are the acting prowess of Brenda Ngxoli. Err, the Fergusons, he e, he e, he e, he e, he e; he e man (I almost said – go monate go ba wena); mara you get my drift. We look forward to the next season already.¶

1 April

Autumn