Actress Nirvana Nokwe took to social media to open up about a distressing experience she had on set while filming a highly sensitive scene. In her post, she highlighted the ongoing discussions about consent and boundaries, especially in light of a recent Skeem Saam episode. “These dialogues sparked by the Skeem Saam episode really go to show how poor and disorganised our ideas of consent and violation are,” she wrote. She then shared her own experience involving a violation of her personal boundaries during a scene where her character was being assaulted.
The incident occurred during a night of filming when the atmosphere was expected to be professional. “The parties involved clearly understood the sensitivity of the scene,” she explained. Detailed discussions had taken place, with clear boundaries laid out to protect the actors. But despite these precautions, Nokwe felt unsafe. “I felt uncomfortable and unsafe due to actions that crossed my personal boundaries.”
Nokwe went on to explain that her boundaries were clear: no simulation of the act in question, no physical thrusting from her co-star, and a close-up of her face would imply the violence. “Under no circumstances is my costar to thrust his pelvis into mine,” she reiterated. The scene had been blocked in a way that respected her boundaries, and she had even requested therapy after completing her role.
Unfortunately, things did not go as planned. During her close-up, when she was in a vulnerable position, her co-star took it upon himself to cross the boundary they had agreed on. “He took it upon himself to thrust his pelvis into mine,” she revealed. Earlier, her co-star had tried to renegotiate the scene, saying, “It’s a big moment, maybe you want to consider it. Give a little flinch, take it further.” Despite Nokwe’s firm refusal, the violation occurred.
Nokwe also expressed disappointment with how the situation was handled by management. While her co-star admitted, “I just got carried away” and “I take full accountability,” she felt let down by the inaction that followed. Initially, leaders promised to address the issue through mediation and written apologies, but these promises were met with silence.
Her simple request for therapy and a written apology was ultimately ignored, replaced with hostility and intimidation. “This situation reflects broader challenges within our industry and country and highlights the importance of addressing these issues to preserve our collective humanity,” she shared.
Despite the challenges, Nokwe took legal action, though it wasn’t easy. She was redirected to five different police stations, with one officer not even understanding the definition of sexual assault. “Sexual assault can only happen ‘by the hands,’” the officer reportedly said, debating a definition that should have been clear.
Still, Nirvana Nokwe remains hopeful. “A new day is coming in South Africa. I’m so happy we’re having these dialogues. We are all going to learn, we are all going to be sensitised, and we are all going to heal,” she wrote. She believes in the power of sharing stories to bring about change and transformation. “One day, there will be justice. Our day of reckoning is near.”
Her story has resonated with many on social media, with followers offering their support and expressing their sympathy for what she had to endure.
These dialogues sparked by the Skeem Saam episode really go to show how poor and disorganised our ideas of consent and violation are. I am writing to share an experience I had during a recent project on set, involving a violation of my personal boundaries in a scene where the…
— NIRVANA NOKWE ♣️ (@nirvananokwe) October 17, 2024
