How playing a 'Ben 10' put Generations: The Legacy actor Sicelo Mabaso in the spotlight

News24

02-05-2025

When young actor Sicelo debuted on one of South Africa's leading shows, "Generations: The Legacy," playing the character Samkelo, viewers were immediately captivated by his undeniable charisma and passionate performance.
His character quickly became the center of a steamy storyline featuring a romance between his younger character and the older Lucy Diale, portrayed by veteran actress Manaka Ranaka.
The relationship plot reached its climax when the pair locked lips in a passionate scene that set social media ablaze.
Sicelo Mabaso believes that portraying a "Ben 10" (a younger man dating an older woman) has helped highlight society's double standards regarding age in relationships. While men dating younger women is often accepted without question, the reverse frequently faces scrutiny and judgment.
Drum magazine recently caught up with the talented young actor to learn more about his journey into acting and the significant break that "Generations: The Legacy" represents in his career.
The controversial storyline has not only showcased his acting abilities but also sparked important conversations about relationship dynamics in South African society.
His charisma extends far beyond the small screen, this we find out when we catch up with him.
He's on set, but he decides to squeeze us in, and just like his captivating character, he's determined to let us in on the magic that is his character.
Sicelo tells Drum that his role has exposed the societal double standards that exist, where one gender is more welcome to date an older partner while the other partner is prohibited.
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'Playing a Ben 10 has really exposed the double standards within society where a young male dating an older woman is frowned upon, but a male dating a younger woman is acceptable. It goes back to the expectation that a male is bigger than a female in a relationship, that males are the head in a relationship, instead of equals,' he says.
'The reality is that a female has as much to contribute in a relationship as the male does.'
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His current role is entertainment breakthrough, although he's not new to the acting scene, as he has acted in The Ferguson Films' Unmarried season three, and in a Netflix series.
Growing up, he recalls how much he enjoyed circus performances.
'As a kid, I remember that whenever circus tents came to my town I would always attend performances whenever I could. I then started enjoying watching movies on TV, that small box made me feel some type of emotion. I enjoyed the laughter the actors' brought to my household. The character of Samkelo is my biggest break,' he explains.
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In his pursuit of a career in showbiz, Sicelo obtained an undergraduate degree from Rhodes University and he subsequently went on to obtain a post graduate degree honours in theater and performance.
He maintains that he shares some character traits with Samkelo.
'We are both very charismatic, and I'm also very resilient, in what I want to pursue. Playing the character has been awesome and so has the response from the viewers, who enjoy the character's personality and drive. Just like Sam, I also believe that I can achieve anything I set my mind to,' he concludes.