7de Laan actress speaks out against racial slurs
JOHANNESBURG – JOBURG - Actress Mbali Mlotshwa has been bombarded with racial slurs following an episode of 7de Laan where her character was involved in an interracial relationship.
The soapie star uploaded a picture to her Instagram account, which showed her character, Nandi, locking lips with her co-star Werner Coetser, who plays her love interest, Bernard.
Her caption for the photograph read, “In the past year I started shooting @real7delaan and I agreed to doing [it] because of the story behind my character. Interracial relationships. Working there was not easy and finding my footing was the most difficult but I took it on with the utmost humility. Since my character journey was the most important thing. Bernard and Nandi received some racist slurs from [their] onscreen debut this past week, (production expected it and so did I and change was the point) but the crazy thing is racial slurs happened on set with people I thought were educated and open minded.
I say #racismMustfall open this conversation. I’m all for it being a crime #ImbrownAndProud thank you Bernard for being the perfect gentleman throughout. #simplylive #simplylove#simplyenhle?? skin color is for the blind… And ignorant.”
Unfortunately, fans of the local TV show left a trail of racial slurs in the comments section. According to a report by Times Live, some comments went as far as stating that ‘the Bible teaches us not to mix our seed’, and that ‘people must know their place, soapies give certain races sh**ty ideas’.
Many of the comments left on the picture were racist, but the show’s fans were quick to jump to her defence and show their support for the show’s developing story line. Some fans even turned to Twitter to shower the show and the outspoken actress with love.
@enhlembali I have to admit the only scene I look forward to these days on @Real7deLaan is #Bernandi. And oh what a beautiful ending! 😍❤❤❤
— Mariska Jacobs (@mariska993) March 28, 2016
I think I just found my new favorite celebrity❤ @enhlembali is everything on @7deLaanSABC2❤❤
— Saleh_🏳️🌈 (@Fayrooz_Saleh) March 29, 2016
https://twitter.com/Ivan_Steinburg/status/714837918448295936
@enhlembali @7deLaanSABC2 I don't even watch tv but I will watch just cause racists are boycotting!!!
— Liz Lemon (@royalNonks) March 29, 2016
Nandi is my new fave character by the way. #7delaan is doing the most. So beautiful! @enhlembali
— Tumie™ (@TheeCuteStar) March 29, 2016
