South African actress Nirvana Nokwe-Mseleku has addressed her experience of sexual violation by fellow actor Bonko Khoza while filming a scene for Showmax’s Red Ink.
Nirvana disclosed that the regrettable event took place in September 2023, and upon being confronted, Bonko admitted his wrongdoing by stating, “I take full responsibility for thrusting Nirvana.”
NIRVANA ACCUSES BONKO OF SEXUALLY VIOLATING HER ON SET
In a video shared on 17 May, the young actress revealed email conversations with Bomb’s executive producers, including Desiree Markgraaff, where Nirvana articulated her dissatisfaction with the way her concerns were addressed.
“Over time, I have quietly observed your verbal and written correspondence regarding the violation I experienced on your set,” she began.
“I have also observed the slow and deliberate isolation and estrangement from the people whose authority, sensibility, and protection I trusted most,” she added.
“You have heartlessly disemboweled my trust with velvet gloves and disdainfully betrayed my human dignity,” she wrote.
In 2024, Nirvana’s manager Michael Fisher communicated via email with Bomb’s executives, Angus Gibson and Desiree, emphasizing that they should have terminated the offender, as such incidents typically result in immediate dismissals.
“It is a global industry standard that upon the occurrence of such abuse, at a minimum, the perpetrator is fired immediately and that remedial measures are implemented for the victim. Absent such a measure, the responsible executive personnel is fired.”
“None of these measures have been taken; instead, Ms Nokwe-Mseleku, despite her graciousness, was subjected to empty promises further compounding Ms Nokwe-Mseleku’s trauma,” read the email.
NIRVANA CONSIDERS OTHER AVENUES TO SHOWCASE HER TALENTS
In a video uploaded on 16 May, Nirvana candidly discussed her negative experiences in the local acting scene, mentioning that she is exploring alternative paths to exhibit her abilities.
She expressed her disillusionment with the unions that profess to protect artists’ rights, revealing that she was cautioned that speaking out could jeopardize her career.
“I am never going back to acting. I will never put myself in a position where I am being told that my body is not mine,” she stated.
She continued, “I am never going to put myself in an ecosystem that isn’t sustainable. I am not going to waste my precious life just to be seen by millions of people across the continent, dare I say even the whole world,” she added.
“I’m being told I will never work if I speak out or if I report to those organisations,” she remarked.
Finally, Nirvana, the daughter of the iconic Tu Nokwe, expressed her candid views on the legacy of the company responsible for creating memorable television series such as Yizo Yizo, Jacob’s Cross, Isibaya, House of Zwide, and Red Ink, among others.
“I want you to know that Bomb’s legacy in my eyes will forever be a legacy of a culture who discards and preys on young black women like me, especially those of us who refuse to take it in the chin. A legacy of coddling violence and sexual predation,” she articulated.
