Cape Town - She’s always played a bad girl: from a gold-digger in Mzansi Magic’s Greed and Desire to Generations: The Legacy’s saucy Thabitha Cele. Who can forget the bondage scene with hot candle wax?
Motsoaledi Setumo definitely became the talk of town. But Motsoaledi is back on our screens to redeem herself and prove that besides her banging body, she has immense talent.
The 26-year-old is joining The Queen as a God-fearing medical graduate who is the late Jacobeth’s (played by Gontse Ntshegang) daughter. However, an excited Motsoaledi tells us her character, Mabatho who is Gracious’ niece, is going to bring peace in the evil-infested Mabuza household.
After her explicit sex scenes on Generations got the soapie in hot water with the Broadcasting Complaints Commission of South Africa, her fans will see a different side to this young actress’ acting skills.
“I’ve played dramatic and crazy characters before where I had to show my body a lot. But with Mabatho it is different. I am showing my talent without having to undress, I am redeeming myself,” she saying laughing.
But her first day on the set of The Queen wasn’t a walk in the park, she confesses. “My first scene was with Rami Chuene. Oh my God! I was so nervous. Remember, we grew up watching these people and now I have to act with them – it was nerve-racking. But she was very understanding, she told me to relax.”
Another challenge was playing a nice sophisticated lady, says the Kagiso-born actress.
“Some people think playing a nice character is easy but it’s not. I had to tone it down because Mabatho is so humble and down to earth and that alone was a challenge.”
It seems her new character is not only a breath of fresh air to Motsoaledi but for her gogo too. In previous reports it was said her gogo, who is a staunch Christian, stopped watching her favourite granddaughter in Generations because of her raunchy sex scenes.
“When I told her I got another job she said, ‘Before I congratulate you, what the character is like?’ I told her she is clean, dresses well and is still a virgin. She said, ‘Finally’,” Motsoaledi says.
You can watch Motsoaledi in action on The Queen from Thursday 18 January on Mzansi Magic (DStv 161).
