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Ray Neo Buso joins 7de Laan' as Zakhele - a flamboyant gay character

19/01/2022

Ray Neo Buso joins 7de Laan' as Zakhele - a flamboyant gay characterActor Ray Neo Buso has joined 7de Laan' as Zakhele Zee' Guliweyo a new gay character after Shawn Basson's death.

by Rae Seleme

19-01-2022

in SA TV and Film

Ray Neo Buso has joined 7de Laan' as Zakhele -a flamboyant new character. Image via Instagram @_rayneo

SABC2's Afrikaans soapie 7de Laan has introduced a gay character - Zakhele - a month after the death of Shawn Basson - a fan-favourite gay character.

--

Zakhele is played by newcomer Ray Neo Buso who's also made an appearance in Skeem Saam as Mapitsi Maputla's wedding choreographer.

Also read: 7de Laan': Shawn is dead or is he? Fans in utter disbelief [watch]

Welcome to our Season 23 Cast Interns, Ray Neo Buso and Daniel Coetzee

For more information on their character roles, tap #7delaan #Season23 #Zee #Uyshttps://t.co/2HEvGejSdu pic.twitter.com/02nseVIisk

7de Laan (@Real7deLaan) January 5, 2022

RAY NEO BUSO AS ZAKHELE Flamboyant actor Ray Neo Buso has joined the cast of 7de Laan as Aggie Meintjies' nephew Zakhele Zee Guliweyo a month after the role of Shawn Basson got killed.

--

Buso got into the show through the annual 7de Laan cast internship program which is in its fourth year.

The actor tells Drum Magazine in an interview that he was thrilled and excited to get the role.

The positive attitude I went into the audition with gave me a positive outcome, as an openly gay man like my character, I am ready for criticism.

He also tells the publication that he grew up in pageants and he's used to criticism and ready for it.

--

I grew up dancing where your teacher will criticise your dancing and they take it as grooming.

I joined my first agency in primary school and hearing no' often groomed me to handle the criticism.

Everything in entertainment is put out for people to enjoy and criticise and you have to take what you get.

Also read:7de Laan: What is happening Tuesday, 18 January 2022 - E277 S22

Ray Buso as Zakhele in 7de Laan'. Image via Instagram story @_rayneo GAY STORYLINES IN 7DE LAAN' 7de Laan received backlash when they showed their very first gay kiss between Shawn (De nr Reiners) and Emile (Christopher van der Westhuizen) in 2017.

Shawn Basson was DeWet Basson's (Dirk Stolz) gay son who pretended to be straight for years and was married to Lana Basson (Mila Guy0.

He and DeWet had a challenging relationship as DeWet couldn't accept him for who he is.

Zakhele got attacked two weeks by strangers and was hospitalised at Hillside Clinic when he arrived in 7de Laan.

It appears that the show is tackling bias-related violence against homosexuals through Buso's character.

The younger Visagie Uys Visagie who is son to Tanya and Werner and grandson to Augusta seems to be behind his attack.

Uys Visagie is played by Daniel Coetzee who also got into the show through the annual 7de Laan cast internship programme.

Also read: Umkhokha' actress Linda Sokhulu has joined the cast of 7de Laan'

Ray Buso as Mapitsi Maputla's choreographer in Skeem Saam'. Image via Instagram story @_rayneo Also read: Skeem Saam' actress hints at Mapitsi's wedding challenges

CLICK HERE to take part in our survey & stand a chance to WIN R5 000 in CASH!
LINK: https://www.thesouthafrican.com/culture/sa-tv-film/ray-neo-buso-joins-...
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