Katlego Sekhu

SAFTA award-winning actor Bonko Khoza steps into the role of Napoleon Dingiswayo, known as The Butcher, in the series Red Ink, adapted from Angela Makholwa-Moabelo’s novel.
The eight-part thriller follows the journey of Lucy Khambule, a journalist turned publicist, who is approached by Napoleon, an incarcerated serial killer eager to have his story told.
Questioned about the preparation involved in fully embodying his character, Khoza reveals the psychological readiness to take on the role but underscores the significant physical adjustments required.”He’s been in prison for 13 years, so what does that look like? I lost around 15 kilograms. I hardly ate on set. And we started creating things that are unique to him—these facial and neck twitches. So I had to get used to that and timing those in the performance,” he explains.
When questioned about how he detaches from Napoleon’s persona after each day of filming, Khoza shared insights on his ability to compartmentalize the character.
“I’m able to pack the character away and bring him out when I need to because I create him so far from me. Me and Napoleon are worlds apart. Napoleon is easy – you put on overalls and some glasses. You switch on to the things you switch on.
“But my life at the moment is so hectic that it was hard to switch Bonko away from the work. I’ve just had a kid, I just moved houses, so I have a lot on my mind. It’s just exhaustion, something I can’t run away from. How are my eyes going to look white when I haven’t slept (more than) four hours?”
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