Wrapping up September, BET Africa will be debuting “Pound 4 Pound”, a 13-part drama series that explores the high-stakes world of women's boxing in Africa.
Actress Enhle Mbali Mlotshwa takes the lead role of Lindiwe Mkhwanazi, a passionate advocate for women's boxing and the COO of the South African Boxing Federation.
“Lindiwe is an extremely strong woman, I think I had to pull in for myself for this character,” shared Mlotshwa.
Mlotshwa during the Paramount Summer Showcase explained that she didn't have much time as she would have wanted to prepare for the character. “In the short space that I did have to build Lindiwe I took from people I know. She’s a very boyish girl, she’s not like Enhle.
“Enhle’s a bit of a lady. I plan, Lindiwe just pounces and puts herself into spaces and says I’m here. That’s exactly what her ethos is: I'm here and you're just going to make it work.”
Lindiwe finds herself in hot water after prematurely registering an all-women's team for the Africa Unite Boxing Championship in Lagos, Nigeria.
To get the team ready, she recruits a washed-up former boxing champion, Dingaan "Tiger" Nkosi, played by Mduduzi Mabaso Mdakane, to train the amateur women boxers.
“Playing Dingaan was fun. You know when you are around women you become a young boy,” said the actor.
On set the actor was surrounded by his female cast mates and got to hear their stories while working with them. He admits that “Pound 2 Pound” also came with its challenges such as the language limitations with it being 80% English.
“Playing Dingaan gave me something different and exposed me in terms of my career, acting as a skill, that I can do this.”
Other cast members of “Pound 4 Pound” include Gabisile Tshabalala, Kealeboga Masango, Kwanele Mthethwa, Nicole Bessick, Sne Mbatha, Zolisa Xaluva and Brandon Auret.
“Pound 4 Pound” debuts on September 29 at 6.30pm on BET, DStv channel 129.
IOL Entertainment