The victim is the bully

Ndiwavho goes from sweet and fun-loving to schoolyard bully - and her step-dad isn't making it easier.

- SANUSHA SHAMDUTT

Mpho (Azwi Rambuda) witnesses a drastic change in her once sweet and linnocent daughter Ndiwavho (Shudufhadzo Mathagwa) "Ndiwavho's personality change is due to her experiences with her peers at school," says Shudufhadzo. "She has never told her mother about all of the bullying that she's gone through, and the only other person who knows about it is her step-father figure at the moment Tenda (Nat Ramabulana) who encourages the teenager to get revenge on her bullies,” explains Shudufhadzo. And in businessman Tenda, Ndiwavho has the perfect bullying mentor.

HONING HER CRAFT

Thinking that the change in Ndiwavho could be brought on by a relationship with a boy, Mpho finally sits Ndiwavho down to chat. "Mpho decides that it's time to have 'the talk' and she hands condoms to Ndiwavho. But Mpho finds out that it's nothing to do with a boy. Her daughter is a mini monster," says Shudu. "Ndiwavho is rude and belligerent and she reveals her true nature to her mom. It turns out that Ndiwavho has been lying about being a victim in a series of incidents at school - she's the instigator!” adds the actress.

Mpho knowing truth now doesn't encourage Ndiwavho to mend her ways and the out of control teen continues with her bullying. "Ndiwavho wants to give as good as she's got in the past. So encouraged by the verbal and physical violence that she's learned from Tenda, she decides to bully anyone and everyone in her path. She's going to be the biggest bully at the school," says Shudu.

EYES WIDE OPEN