When you see comedian Ghakeem Roman in a dress, he is usually on stage hamming it up.
But when the 41-year-old Strand-based actor and social media sensation puts on a rokkie this Valentine’s Day, it is to talk about a very serious issue close to his heart: gender-based violence.
Ghakeem has travelled the world as a performer, but he is back on home soil now and ready to kick off his first online production, called Ennie - Uit Om My Man Te Byt.
He plays the role of Ennie, a woman who is on the streets, down and out after an abusive marriage to her first husband.
She built up the courage to stand up to him and successfully sent him to prison.
Social worker (Mamma) worked with Ennie and managed to get her back on her feet, and this is how she met who she thought was her knight in shining armour, Jimmy.
Ghakeem says, along with the cast of Kinnes vannie Ses, the actors bring you this hard-hitting story that resonates with so many South African households, where women are the victims of GBV.
While a lot of women will be wined and dined this Valentine’s Day, he says not everyone will be romanced.
Ghakeem says he is pleased that a portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Western Cape Women's Shelter Movement (WSM).
“As GBV is rife in our respective communities, a portion of proceeds will be donated to the WSM,” he says.
“The WSM is the mother body of women’s shelters within the Western Cape and will decide which safe haven will receive the monetary contribution.
“My career has seen me travel the world and bring so much joy on stage.
“GBV is a real challenge in our communities and, together with an amazing cast, we have managed to tackle this heartbreaking reality.
“Mense, ek is super excited en kannie wag om julle te entertain nie.”
The show which was pre-recorded in Mitchells Plain and Lotus River, is co-written by Kulsum Jackson and Ricardo Dicks and co-produced by Jackson and Ghakeem.
The show can be viewed via Quicket for R100 and will be available for a week - from 14 to 21 February.