Melusi Yeni reflects alcohol abuse and male trauma with new detective role

Having experienced a turbulent decade, seasoned actor Melusi Yeni is back at the top of his game – all thanks to his solid fan base who held him down during his darkest times. 

The actor made headlines years ago for rumours ranging from his failing health to him allegedly not paying child support. In 2018, it was revealed he would need to make child support payments totalling more than R1m over 18 years to the mother of his first child– and as a result, all these personal issues affected his work as an actor.

However, in the past two years, things have been looking up for Yeni who is reshaping his image and reputation by assuming lead roles reminiscent to the way he did back in the early 2000s.

"Most of what I went through back then was in the public eye. There was a legal matter pertaining to child support. We [the mother of my first child and I] couldn’t find a middle ground and the matter had to go to court. There was then a mediation, and the issue was resolved. Where we are now, in 2024, I don’t owe any child support. I’m happily married and doing well," the actor said.

Yeni made his major comeback to TV screens in 2022 after a long break.

He first rose to fame as Phenyo Mazibuko, the sexy hot guy in a suit on SABC1’s long-standing soapie Generations. He also embodied roles in hit productions such as The Wild, Isidingo, Imbewu: The Seed, Durban Gen and most recently Smoke & Mirrors, where he plays a detective named Zakhele “Ziggy” Phakathi.

While he is typically known for taking on romantic leads, carrying detective Phakathi’s storyline helps him bring the spotlight on alcohol abuse and trauma within the male community.

“Things are interesting here in SA. You’re only at the top of your game if people see you acting on national broadcast channels. If people don’t see you acting on traditional shows like Generation, Muvhango or Uzalo, it seems as though you’re not doing anything,” he said. 

With most of his roles, Yeni admits to being typecast. However, the producers of Smoke & Mirrors required him to unearth emotions that not only educate but help reflect issues faced in society.

“I must admit this whole thing is a journey that I’ve been on for quite some time. I’m one of those people who have been fortunate enough to run back to the theatre when I felt like doing so. It’s also refreshing to step away from the small screen and hone my acting skills on stage.” 

“They [producers] told me they wanted me to embody the role of a successful man who is battling a lot of demons and challenges that have taken him from glory to a bad place. This storyline is prevalent to many men in SA and as we keep peeling off the layers of detective Zakhele, we realise how important it is to highlight the issues he’s facing.

“More than anything, this is God’s timing. This role came at a great time in my life. It’s as if whatever I’ve been through and experienced, I can translate those emotions on TV through this character. I’m glad to be playing the role of someone real that people can resonate with.” 

In the years he had been away from our TV screens, Yeni expressed how “fortunate” he was to have sustained acting gigs for most of his 25-year-long career. 

“There’s never been a year where I wasn’t acting. I was just not acting on soapies, which seemed as though I wasn’t on TV. What might have happened was that I took on supporting roles that weren’t prominent enough but the work has been there,” said the 46-year-old actor. 

“I’m grateful that God keeps providing a space for me even after so many years. I feel privileged to have people say: ‘Melusi has always been in the lane of hunks for all these years,’ and they still find an interest in me.”