Nephtali Leotle believes that 016FM is a love letter to the Vaal

Nominated for Best South African Streaming Series at the inaugural Behind The Scenes Awards in November 2024, 016FM follows two polar opposite DJs (the late Mpho Sebeng and Empini’s Joseph MJ Sedibo) trying to save their much-loved community radio station in the Vaal from closing. 

Nephtali Leotle has been a fan-favourite as Pius, a former bodybuilder turned entrepreneur who uses the radio station to run his illicit businesses.

With Season 1 of 016FM now available to binge on Showmax, Zibuyile Dladla sat down with the veteran actor, whose three-decade career includes appearances in everything from the Oscar-nominated Invictus to local favourites like The Long Run, Four Walls and Ring of Lies, to Outlaws, the joint most-nominated telenovela going into this year’s SAFTAs. 

You worked with the late Mpho Sebeng on this project. What was your fondest memory of working with him in his final performance?

We were both excited to reconnect on a new production, because the last project we worked on together was Rings of Lies. Mpho and I had a way of reading each other’s minds and then bursting out laughing on set. He always checked on me and would ask about my well-being. He made it his business to ensure that I was okay; I did the same. I miss a lot of things about him, like his sense of discipline and impeccable work ethic. I’m consoled by the fact that we spoke shortly before the tragedy.

On 016FM, a lot of the cast are much younger than you. What’s one valuable lesson you’ve learned from working alongside such a young and vibrant cast? 

Well, I’d also consider myself to be still young. [Laughs]

When I was younger and working alongside older cast members, we always saw ourselves as that young group that contributed so much freshness and vibrancy to the set. What I always appreciated about older cast members is that, as much as we learned from them, they were also willing to learn from us. Now I’m experiencing the same with the new generation I’m working with. My younger cast members are such a breath of fresh air. They are eager to not only learn but also to teach us a few things. So I considered my working relationship with them as a healthy transaction of knowledge and respect. It’s not a one-way street; we learned from them and they learn from us. 

What is it about the 016FM storyline that intrigued you?

I’m a person who takes family and community values seriously. This storyline touches on those values and that’s what I love about this show. It defied what seems to be the trend of what content sells in this industry these days. I’m a firm believer that we need more stories that allow for families to sit together and enjoy the content – and 016FM does that. 

What has filming 016FM helped you discover about the Vaal area?

I spent a number of years in the Vaal. Through my experience of living there, I’ve learned that the Vaal is a complex place with great potential, despite the various social ills the area is faced with. For example, I know of corporate executives and politicians who are from the Vaal but because they were in search of greener pastures, like many of us, they left that community. Not that I blame them for leaving, but I do consider this to be rather unfortunate because the exodus of these people has created a gap and a scarcity of mentors who can coach the disillusioned in that community. What then happens is that the youth is left with people like Pius, who deal in illicit businesses, which leads to the erosion of that area. 

Like many areas across the country, the Vaal is a sad story, but stories like 016FM bring a sense of hope and happiness. They’re a reminder that society needs to go back to valuing the importance of community and holding each other accountable for what happens in our surroundings. The Vaal needs a happy story and I think 016FM is that happy story – 016FM is a love letter to that area.

Binge-watch all 13 episodes of 016FM streaming only on Showmax.