AFTER close to six years with Generations, Thabiso Mokhethi (Samuel) and Kagiso Rakosa (Sharon) will be bidding a sad farewell to their roles – their contracts are not being renewed.
Mfundi Vundla, the show’s executive producer, said: “The series will continue to pioneer the discovery, nurturing and development of young talent and, in doing so, continue to deliver cutting-edge and innovative stories.”
Of course, the “official comment” fails to acknowledge the actors’ sentiments.
But Mokhethi and Rakosa are taking things in their stride.
“I was surprised – the news was totally out of the blue,” says Mokhethi. “With Sonia Sedibe (Ntombi) on leave, we were holding down the fort, so to speak. It is not an easy thing. But even though it’s strange and sounds cruel – it is part of our profession. When your contract is not renewed, you have to take it like a man.”
The actor says it was his faith that helped him accept the news.
“I said to the production manager that it was God who put me here and if he says it is time to leave, then… I guess it is time for him to take me to another level of greatness,” says Mokhethi.
While he will be kept busy with his Living Righteousness Entertainment production and events management company, the actor promises he will return to the small screen soon.
“I might not have Generations, but I’m sure I will have something. My father always taught me that, in whatever I do, I must do it right or not at all. So while I will be leaving, I’m not leaving my success,” he maintains.
And he doesn’t have any regrets about playing Samuel, aka Mr Nice Guy.
“I didn’t get tired of playing him. His diversity allowed me to keep him fresh. Sam forced me to be humble. He takes a lot of crap from people and he doesn’t stand up for himself most of the time. I learned to pick my fights,” the affable actor laughs.
Rakosa believes everything happens for a reason and the time has come for her to “move on”.
“Being a part of Generations has opened new doors for me. Not having my contract renewed isn’t necessarily a bad thing. I have been around for five to six years, but my storyline developed at a later stage. And I started out as an extra,” she shares.
Rakosa was studying her BCom (accounting) at Vista University when she hired an agent and ended up starting her acting career on Generations.
“That is when I became fascinated with the whole entertainment industry. I started out with one-liners before I got big storylines and was acting alongside legends. I am happy I took on the challenge of having Generations as my school. Now all I can say is that any challenge I face is going to be a smooth ride, I believe,” she enthuses.
Unsure as to how she and Samuel will be written out, Rakosa speculates: “I think we will go back to Mahlabathini in KwaZulu-Natal, as Samuel is the next chief.”
l Samuel Khumalo and Sharon Motaung will be seen in Generations until mid-December.