IT’S an interesting era in TV. A socialite has become a hit talk show host (Khanyi Mbau – Katch it With Khanyi). A radio DJ has also joined the talk show world (Anele Mdoda – Tongue in Cheek) and now, 5FM DJ Thando Thabethe is flexing her acting muscles on SABC1’s Generations – The Legacy.
Being a master of many talents is an unspoken tenet to ensure longevity in the entertainment industry. And Thanethe is happily straddling the worlds of radio and TV.
No stranger to scripts, the pillow-lipped beauty has had to learn lines and found herself in front of the camera before, after bagging cameos in Mzansi Love: Kasi Style, Intersexions and Kowethu.
Now, she’s finding a stronghold in TV. Of her gravitation to the small screen, she explains: “Acting was actually the first thing I got into, before presenting and radio. I started acting in high school, doing various drama productions. It was the first form of art I got into.”
Despite her rising profile, she had to queue with the hopefuls at the auditions for the part of The Legacy’s Nolwazi. But she’s not complaining.
On which aspects of her character she resonates with, she offers: “Nolwazi is a feisty young woman. Born and bred in Alex, she relocated to Cape Town to pursue a career and is now back in Jozi as it didn’t work out. In terms of her being feisty and ambitious, I see a lot of myself in her. But she is also relentless in getting her way, whereas I try to conduct myself with respect. I trust in God to help me in my decision making.”
That she has always been a die-hard fan of the soap makes the fact she is now acting in it that much sweeter (even if it isn’t quite the original prodcution it once was).
Thabethe admits: “It’s truly an honour to walk the corridors that were walked by some of SA’s most legendary actors and I hope someone can one day say that about me. I’ve already been lucky enough to work with the likes of Manaka Ranaka, Rapulana Seiphemo and Andisiwe Dweba, who is relatively new, too. All of these people are amazing to work with.”
In case you are wondering what she brings to the table, she hints: “A lot of catfights and drama.”
• Generations – The Legacy, SABC1 on weekdays at 8pm. Catch her on 5fm’S The Roger Goode Show, weekdays, 4pm to 7pm.