Fezile Mpela makes a powerful return as Mandla Cele in 'A Scam Called Love', a film that delves into the complexities of fatherhood and masculinity in modern society. Picture: Supplied
Image: Supplied
It has been some time since Mzansi viewers saw Fezile Mpela on their screens, now he is set to thrill them with his performance in the upcoming film “A Scam Called Love”.
Mpela is known for his roles on "Generations", "Isidingo", "High Rollers" and "Diepe Waters".
The veteran actor plays the role of Mandla, a strong-willed African father dealing with family turmoil. In a recent interview, Fezile opened up about the challenges of portraying such a layered character and the significance of bringing this narrative to life.
For Mpela, stepping into Mandla’s shoes was both rewarding and demanding. His character is a man who has emotionally shut himself off from the world while navigating personal crises—a cheating wife, a child studying in the United States, a delinquent son, and a brother who refuses to take responsibility for his life.
Despite these struggles, Mandla chooses silence as his way of dealing with the chaos, something Mpela finds fascinating to portray.
Fezile Mpela in orange portrays the character of Mandle Cele in "A Scam Called Love". Picture: Supplied
Image: Supplied
“It was a challenging process because Mandla is a strong-willed African man who decides to close off everyone else and retreat into himself,” Mpela explains. “He’s faced with so many difficult situations, but instead of reacting violently, he chooses to remain silent. However, silence can only last for so long before an explosion happens.”
Beyond just playing the role, Mpela recognizes the deeper message within “A Scam Called Love”. The film highlights the internal struggles that many fathers face, especially in societies where men are expected to uphold traditional roles without showing vulnerability.
“We put so much pressure on men to be a certain way, but we don’t always acknowledge the battles they fight internally,” Mpela reflects. “I love how this film not only exposes those layers but also offers a different perspective, one that doesn’t just highlight problems but looks at solutions.”
According to Mpela, storytelling in South Africa has often focused on harsh realities such as gender-based violence, drug abuse, and crime.
While these are critical issues, he believes filmmakers need to start showing resolutions rather than just the problems. “A Scam Called Love” does exactly that by exploring an alternative to violence—silence and reflection—before a necessary confrontation.
One of the biggest challenges Mpela faced while playing Mandla was the need to communicate emotion without speaking much.
“It took me back to Acting 101: React, don’t act,” he says. “When you can’t use words to express yourself, you have to rely on body language, facial expressions, and the energy you give off. That was an incredible challenge but also one of the most fulfilling aspects of playing this role.”
He also found solace in his character’s personal space—the study. “Mandla is in his study a lot in the film, and that anchored me in the character. It was his domain, his man cave, and that dynamic allowed me to stay in character while others entered his world.”
Beyond the romantic and comedic elements, “A Scam Called Love” also delves into modern parenting. With Mandla’s daughter set to marry an American, the film touches on how African parents are adapting to a new world where children make independent choices about their futures.
“In the past, parents dictated their children’s lives, but times have changed,” Mpela notes.
“Today, we raise independent, liberal-minded kids, and we have to support them. It’s an interesting dynamic—sending them to the best schools to be educated but then struggling to accept that they’ve become free-thinking individuals.”
One of the most exciting aspects of “A Scam Called Love” is that it will premiere in cinemas rather than going straight to streaming platforms. In a time where many films opt for digital releases, Mpela sees this as an opportunity to revive the traditional moviegoing experience.
“COVID changed how we engage with entertainment, but I believe there’s something special about watching a film in a cinema,” he says. “It’s about shared moments—holding hands, laughing together, feeling the emotions of the story alongside others. Cinema brings back that sense of community, much like theatre does.”
Mpela’s portrayal of Mandla offers a deep, thought-provoking look into fatherhood, masculinity, and personal growth.
The film premieres in March on the big cinema nationwide.
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