Munya Vomo
Thembisa Mdoda has landed what must be one of the the most sought-after jobs in South Africa as the new host of Mzansi Magic’s Our Perfect Wedding.
“That slot on a Sunday is huge and so I know that it’s an incredible opportunity for me. I think once I got on set I realised what a great job it is so I am excited,” said Mdoda.
“I have been shooting for a few weeks now and I am having the time of my life,” she added.
Audiences may know her from her role in The Road, but she honed her presenting skills on a previous Mzansi Magic show. “I had presented before. I hosted a show called Vukani and I did the writing for that as well. I studied drama, so presenting is not too far from acting,” she said.
Reflecting on how she got the job, Mdoda described how she had wanted to be part of the production for a while, but without success.
“They called me to come and audition for this past season and I didn’t get it so I was sad. Then they called me again for season six, which is coming up and I was now battling with myself as to whether I should go or not. My poor heart could not take another rejection. But then I told myself that I would try again and this time I would get the gig. I went in with the mindset, that I would just be me – good and bad – so they see what they are getting and I got the job,” she said.
Mododa admits that she may have seemed an unlikely candidate, given that a lot of people must have been in the running for the top job, and considering the talented Tumi Morake was the previous host.
“It took a lot of people by surprise but I think several things worked in my favour. The main thing is that the show tells stories about love. The journey of a couple that is getting married and devoting themselves to each other. Who does not want to be a part of that?
“Who does not want to be a part of beauty, laughter, happiness and dancing. The show itself is personality driven and my ultimate goal is to know the people that we feature’s love better. I want to learn about love and I also want the viewer to do the same. If one person is inspired then my job is done,” she said.
So what can viewers expect from her?
“I have to bring honesty to the show. I want to find out more about the people we feature. The journey that they have to go through. The hardships and how they got over them. I appreciate what has been done before me and I am happy to be part of a great show so I plan to bring a season with it’s own climate,” she says.
Our Perfect Wedding airs Sunday on Mzansi Magic (DStv channel 161) 7pm and Thembisa Mdoda appears from January 3.