Image provided by Blythe Linger
kykNET’s newest telenovela, Arendsvlei, which tells the story of dramas at a Cape Flats high school has graced our TV screens since October 2018. I met up with Roberto Kyle. He plays the role of Lee-Roy in the telenovela. Lee-Roy is a smart, ambitious learner at Arendsvlei High School. He is a very good chess player. He is also queer. Lee-Roy’s story arch explores his experiences of being bullied at school, and how he struggles to deal with this. Because of his sexual orientation, there is a strong desire to be accepted by his father, Lionel (portrayed by Jody Abrahams).
Roberto explains that being a part of the Arendsvlei cast has been a life changing experience for him. He graduated in 2016 from the University of Cape Town with a BA in Theatre and Performance. “Arendsvlei tells a true coloured narrative. For the first time, coloured stories are told in a dignified and sincere way”, he says. Roberto feels that being a part of such a story has profound meaning for him. As such, coloured narratives need to be addressed with caution, a challenge that Roberto accepts with open arms.
How are viewers responding to Arendsvlei? I did some investigation pertaining to the sensitivity of South African audiences with regards to what they see on television. I suspected that audiences’ reaction would depend on their level of emotional investment in the storyline. Needless to say, social media is reacting in a very positive light towards the pending romance between Lee-Roy and another character, Wesley. Arendsvlei Twitter fam have coined the hashtag #WesLee. “This storyline holds particular relevance because it sheds a light on real matters surrounding masculinity and gayness”, says Roberto.
Wesley and Lee-Roy are a representation of many gay love stories that were never given the platform to flourish. Roberto explains that the #WesLee couple represents both men and women who sadly have to suppress their personalities and humanity because of a judgemental society. In terms of sexuality, this storyline aims to inspire such oppressed bodies, and equally to advance the view that people cannot account for why they are queer, if they are queer. #WesLee boldly shows that men can love men – and that’s completely okay. The core message is: love wins.
Arendsvlei airs on kykNET & kie (DSTV channel 145) from 20:00 – 20:30 on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays. I wouldn’t miss it for anything.
Performing/Performance Politics 