“I write to right wrongs – for me, that is the only way I can make sense of this world, and make sense of my brother’s passing. Ndabezinhle Bruce Mhlatshwa — he is why I write.”
Screenwriter
Why I write
An ode to brotherly love
Thabo Mhlatshwa in conversation with Jonny Wright
Talking about writing for soap operas and the wider television industry
Biography
Thabo Mhlatshwa is a proud South Londoner of Zimbabwean heritage. After accepting the fact that he was never going to make it as a footballer, his background and working-class upbringing informed the tone of his work going forward as a screenwriter – the sense and spirit of community in the high-rise estates on which he grew up, laughter in the face of adversity. After years of struggling to get his work seen, Thabo very nearly turned his back on the industry before joining the scriptwriting team at Hollyoaks (Channel 4) where he went on to write over 30 episodes, including an hour long special in which black talent took the lead in front and behind the camera – a first for a UK soap episode.
Thabo has also written for The Dumping Ground (CBBC) set in a children’s care home. He is currently developing his own projects, but is willing to put all this on hold if Gareth
Southgate picks up the phone for Thabo to put his experience at the heart of England’s defence.
