{"id":24117,"date":"2025-09-01T16:39:18","date_gmt":"2025-09-01T14:39:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.samdb.co.za\/blogs\/?p=24117"},"modified":"2025-09-01T16:39:26","modified_gmt":"2025-09-01T14:39:26","slug":"christopher-jaftha-gets-top-billing-in-raunchy-khaki-fever-comedy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.samdb.co.za\/blogs\/blog\/2025\/09\/01\/christopher-jaftha-gets-top-billing-in-raunchy-khaki-fever-comedy\/","title":{"rendered":"Christopher Jaftha Gets Top Billing in Raunchy “Khaki Fever” Comedy"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Khaki Fever<\/a><\/em> premieres on Showmax this Friday, 5 September. In the 18SNL comedy, a group of game rangers challenge each other\u00a0 to see who can hook up with the most tourists during a season, with the winner raking in everyone\u2019s tips – if they don\u2019t get caught and fired first\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Showmax Original sold out its premiere at Silwerskerm, taking home the Best Supporting Actor prize for Francois Jacobs from its eight nominations. In her four-star review,\u00a0IOL<\/em>\u2019s Debashine Thangevelo says the comedy \u201cwill leave viewers weak-kneed and breathless from the laughter\u2026 Khaki Fever <\/em>is pure escapism. I haven\u2019t laughed so hard in a while. It\u2019s sexy (those itty-bitty shorts are going to start a new trend), hilarious and thoroughly entertaining… Everyone will never look at game drives the same again.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SAFTA-nominated former\u00a0Top Billing<\/em> presenter Christopher Jaftha tells us more about his breakthrough lead role:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your character, Daniel, really sets the tone for the movie from the very first scene. What was your first impression when you read the script?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I laughed out loud, which doesn\u2019t happen often. Daniel struck me as a charming, overconfident, slightly ridiculous, yet very lovable character. What hooked me was that, beneath all the bravado and abs, there\u2019s a vulnerability. He\u2019s a showman but there\u2019s depth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What do you think viewers will make of Daniel? Especially as his layers (and I don\u2019t necessarily mean his clothes!) come off and we get to know him?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[Laughs] <\/em>Yeah, well, not much clothing to peel off, let\u2019s be honest! But I think audiences will come in expecting a one-dimensional \u2018himbo\u2019 and then be surprised. Daniel\u2019s actually got a big heart. He\u2019s competitive and cheeky, sure, but he\u2019s also dealing with his own insecurities. That mix of comedy and heart is what makes him relatable, and, hopefully, memorable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Director Brett Michael Innes has talked quite a bit about the improvisation on set. Is improvisation something that comes easily or naturally to you?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Improvisation is one of my favourite parts of the craft. A lot of folks don\u2019t know me for comedic roles but when I was younger, I dreamed of being on Whose Line Is It Anyway?<\/em> Improv is where the real gold lives. Brett gave us so much freedom on set, and that freedom allowed for those spontaneous moments that make the scenes pop. The cast had such great comedic timing, so we were all riffing off each other. It kept us on our toes, and I think that energy comes through on-screen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It must have been such a fun set. Could you tell us a bit about what you enjoyed about the working environment?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can\u2019t work that closely in that little clothing without forming a bond! [Laughs] <\/em>I loved the balance of professionalism and playfulness. Everyone brought their A-game, but there was also space to mess around, try new things, and not take ourselves too seriously. Plus, being in the bush with that kind of scenery, it didn\u2019t feel like work half the time. I also loved being part of something that pokes fun at stereotypes while still celebrating our quirks as South Africans. We laughed a lot. A lot!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The shorts are\u2026 short. Were they at least comfortable? Did you make sure to squeeze in an extra leg day workout here and there?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s just say leg day was never skipped during production. Those shorts leave nothing to the imagination. They were\u2026 snug. I became very aware of sunscreen, squats, and\u2026 let\u2019s call it \u2018wardrobe security\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What was it like working with intimacy coordinators?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This wasn\u2019t my first time working with intimacy coordinators, and I had worked with \u00c9mil [Haarhoff] and his incredible team before. They always bring a sense of safety, professionalism, and psychological awareness to the process, which helps ground the work. A special shoutout to Carla Classen, who stepped in when \u00c9mil wasn\u2019t available; she was phenomenal. They always checked in to see where I was mentally, and if, for any reason, I felt uncomfortable, even after having filmed a scene.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The scenes themselves are far more technical than anyone realises. Once you move past the initial awkwardness \u2013 there are exercises to work through this \u2013 it\u2019s all about storytelling, not about nudity. What I appreciate about the methods used is that they focus on the psychology behind the performance, which allows you to fully embody the character while leaving it all on the actor\u2019s floor at the end of the day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the red scenes, there\u2019s actually a lot of padding and smaller deflated yoga balls, so that there\u2019s never any contact between the artists. When everyone feels safe and everything is in place, then there\u2019s no qualms or stresses to do what is required of the character.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And what did you learn about yourself or regarding your craft as an actor that you can apply going forward?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Well, this film is certainly out of my comfort zone, and anyone who makes it past the first 30 seconds will understand why! So resilience. And to never judge a book by its cover. Things I\u2019ve always known but it is always good to get a nice little refresher now and then.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What was it like working with an award-winning director like Brett, who\u2019s won the SAFTA for Best Film twice.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Brett is a force. He\u2019s got such a clear vision but also leaves space for his actors to explore. That kind of trust is rare. He made us feel safe while also pushing us to take risks. You always knew he had your back and that he was quietly watching for those lightning-in-a-bottle moments. He makes great movies because he earns everyone\u2019s trust. Brett is a legend and a brother.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why should people watch Khaki Fever<\/em>?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Because it\u2019s wild. It\u2019s funny, sexy, cheeky, and at times unexpectedly tender. The tone of the project, and the way the project was handled, was bold, unapologetic, and full of heart. It doesn\u2019t take itself too seriously but it\u2019s not fluff either. It\u2019ll have you laughing, cringing, and probably googling \u201cgame ranger jobs in South Africa\u201d afterwards! This one\u2019s for the bushveld boys, the tourists, and anyone who\u2019s ever fallen for a ranger in short shorts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

View the Khaki Fever Trailer<\/a> on YouTube (age restricted)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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