08-05-2025
Inside KB Motsilanyane's transformative role in the telenovela Genesis
Keabetswe 'KB' Motsilanyane is back to bring all the drama.
The renowned actor, singer and dancer brings to life the feisty momager Wendy Sedibeng on Mzansi Magic's latest telenovela Genesis, a captivating story that shows that the high-stakes world of the gospel music industry isn't exempt from shocking betrayals and shady practices.
KB acts alongside fellow industry veterans like Baby Cele and Buyile Mdladla with Wendy's role, showcasing a complex character constantly in survival mode while managing her gospel star daughter Mmarona (played by Gaosi Raditholo).
A character in survival mode
TRUELOVE sat down with the 7de Laan actor as she describes Wendy's character.
'Wendy, I think is somebody who's broken and they heal in that brokenness. You know if you get an injury, and then instead of healing the injury, you just stay with the injury, but it heals like that. So, I think emotionally she is just numb and she's that mom who wants to do the best for her daughters.
'She wants a good life - of course she wants a good life. She feels like she's had it too hard and it's about time that it pays off. So, she's that mom who's pushing her daughters, trying to live vicariously through them and who feels that the world owes her something.'
Off the cuff
What's your colour for the season? Burgundy.
Sneakers or heels? Heels.
What's your favourite activity to do with the family? Quality time. I like making wraps, but I leave all the ingredients all over the counter so everybody's forced to come and stand there and make their own, their own wrap.
What shows are you watching right now? You know Untold? It's just like background stories on big stars who went through certain experiences. So, trying to just understand the journeys that everybody else goes through, things that we don't hear a lot about.
When acting and music collide
As not only a renowned actor ever since shooting to stardom with her role as KayBee on Backstage, KB's journey in music has seen her light South Africa up with memorable hits like Rock Lefatshe and O a Lla for the past 20 years.
She now gets to marry her musical and acting gifts together for her role in Genesis.
On getting this opportunity, KB tells us that 'I'll honestly say it's a privilege. I've been in this industry for quite a while. Um, I was telling someone just now that El Musica is now 20 years old. So, I'm very cognizant of the fact that a lot of people I started with may not be here, they may not be doing what I'm doing so genuinely, gratitude.'
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KB admits that this is her first opportunity to dive into such a complex and defensive character like Wendy,
'I'm so excited about Genesis, I'm excited about Wendy. I have never played a role like this ever. So just to watch is such an out of body experience because I watch and I'm thinking, 'who is this!' So, absolutely, and also just seeing how everybody else's character falls into place in terms of the story,' she says.
