Keeping up with the Kamatis

The second season of Namibia’s very own series Third Will is set to premier the first week of February. The series surrounds the Kamati family who are literally at war over their father Henry Kamati’s multimillion-dollar company MeatExpo, after he passes away. Through deceit, greed, lies and betrayal, many of the family members’ bad and good sides came out in the first season. Season two promises to be quite twisted and even more interesting.

Tjil caught up with the ‘Kamati siblings’ who shared a little of what the audience can expect in the upcoming season. The director, Frans Kruges says there’s a lot that is to be expected from Third Will including international airplay. “The producer Bienvenu Lukoki and I are planning on sharing it in with the rest of Africa because it’s easily relatable. We have some positive feedback which is encouraging so far. Third Will is financially taken care of by the two of us which is difficult and we look forward to getting help,” said Kruges.

Glen-Nora Tjipura as Grace Kamati

Tjil (T): What about your role and and the series is going to surprise people in season two?

Grace (G): I believe that we as artists are getting better and that is something to look forward to. There is a new character Charlotte and she will be a big surprise for the audience. I don’t want to give too much away but she is definitely someone to look out for. From Grace, the audience will be surprised by her reaction to the family and how they treat her. I really can’t give much away (laughs).

T: Who in the series is the most like their character in real life?

G: (laughs) I won’t say it’s Thomas. It would be Michael played by Dice. I like the fact that we beef each other behind the scenes because we don’t get along as our characters. Dice is not as sweet as Michael but he’s close, he’s getting there! And perhaps Grace as well, my character, because she is so close to home, you know. I am the youngest on set and she’s the youngest in the family.

T: Without giving much away, what is your favourite line in season two as Grace?

G: “Because Maureen, unlike you is a much better person.” That line got me a slap though (laughs).

T: If you could play another character in the show, who would you be?

G: This is tricky because I’m one of the scriptwriters in the upcoming seasons but I’d want to be Lucia because she’s very devious or Ronel because she’s delusional, she’s just in her own world. I think I like all the villains, there’s just something about them. I think I will also be Charlotte.

T: What sort of person is going to love your character?

G: Mmmm, I think it’s going to come from parents mostly because here we have a young kid who has issues so they are likely to sympathise with me and maybe people that are addicted to something. People will definitely fall in love with Grace.

Pummue Eiseb as Thomas Kamati

T: Why did you get involved in the production of Third Will?

T: The way the storyline is written is very interesting and I liked it especially when we got the script for the first time, I was blown away. I just had to be part of it. I also knew the producer and director personally, so I could tell it was going to be a wonderful production.

T: What was challenging about bringing your character to life?

T: The only challenge is as an actor the first thing you need to do is get to know your character which meaning practising every day. The only thing that was new to me was having so many women around me on the show and that is Thomas, a ladies’ man. Thomas is also gullible and spoilt so that is also a challenge I should say.

T: What makes a good scene partner?

T: It’s definitely someone who knows their lines because it helps the next person to give their best too. You don’t want to be giving your best whilst the next person isn’t. Fortunately everyone on Third Will gives their all when on set. Look out for you Thomas because he is unpredictable and he will be getting into trouble as usual.

Dice as Michael Kamati

T: Do you feel that as an actor you have a responsibility to the audience in making sure that Michael gives back to the community in where he is portrayed?

M: It comes down to the script writers and directors at the end of the day but as an actor I have the responsibility of making sure that I execute the role properly. A lot of people can definitely look up to Michael with what he goes through like the family saga and the many inconveniences.

T: Is there a difference between Michael in season one and season two?

M: Yes there is. Michael has evolved in so many ways. In season one he had just returned from overseas when his father asked him to help with the company and just as he returns his father passes away and his mother is a prime suspect in a murder case. Then he falls in love with a certain girl but due to the circumstances he can’t be involved. He evolves because now he plays the role his father always wanted him to play. He has a good and bad side.

T: What was the most important lesson that you had learned being on the series that had a positive effect on your character?

M: Family is everything. It was a reminder to me that at the end of the day they are all you have. They are the people that can love you unconditionally. Appreciate your family more, it doesn’t matter what shape or size they come in.

T: As an actor, what part is harder, getting started or finishing up a scene?

M: The first few days of getting into character after a break are always the challenging but when you start shooting the momentum just keeps going. We have a very good director who always guides us.

T: What are four things that people don’t know about Michael?

M: He’s a hypocrite, confused boy that didn’t grown up with his father so he lacks the father figure role and he’s very persistent and he isn’t charming as he seems.

June Shimuoshili