Latest news with #GenesisRecords
The Citizen
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Citizen
LaConco makes acting debut in Mzansi Magic's 'Genesis'
LaConco made her acting debut on Tuesday night. Reality star and media personality Nonkanyiso Conco, better known as LaConco, has landed her first acting role. The Real Housewives of Durban star appeared in Mzansi Magic's new telenovela Genesis on Tuesday, playing the role of 'The Podcaster'. 'Hawu, thank you for featuring me,' she wrote on Instagram as she shared the news. Produced by Singavision Productions, Genesis premiered on 21 April. The drama follows former gospel queen Felicia Thabethe, whose once-unshakable legacy is shaken by shocking secrets, forcing her to fight for her family's name and save Genesis Records. The telenovela boasts a star-studded cast, including four-time Safta nominee Baby Cele, Buyile Mdladla, Nay Maps, Gaosi Raditholo, KB Motsilanyane and Kealeboga Masango. ALSO READ: WATCH: 'Don't be afraid to walk away' – Real Housewives star Beverley Steyn gets candid From reality TV to presenting LaConco rose to fame when she was engaged to former president Jacob Zuma. She then appeared on The Real Housewives of Durban before branching out into television presenting, hosting Our Perfect Wedding and Ingane Yam. Earlier this year, she launched her own podcast, Timeline with LaConco, which now has more than 30 000 subscribers. On the platform, she opened up about her relationship with Zuma, motherhood and other personal topics. READ MORE: Laconco, Lootlove and Relebogile Mabotja among big winners at Basadi in Music Vanguard Awards LaConco was also named Podcast Presenter of the Year at the Basadi in Music Awards earlier this month. 'Great things truly come when you least expect them! Thank you Basadi in Music Awards for this beautiful recognition. 'To every soul that has poured into this vision, ngiyabonga from the depths of my heart,' she wrote, celebrating her win. NOW READ: How 'Muvhango' celebrated Tshivenḓa in a time of little representation
Mail & Guardian
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Mail & Guardian
Scoring faith: Musa Mhlongo on composing for Genesis
Musa Mhlongo brings soul and suspense to Genesis with a score that elevates this gospel-fueled telenovela Speaking to Musa Mhlongo about arts, books and music is an indulgence of note. His passion for creative expression is seen in his illustrious work as literary scholar, cultural researcher and composer. This award-winning maestro continues this creative work as one of the music composers for Mzansi Magic's recent telenovela, Genesis. Alongside the prolific Mojalefa Thebe, Mhlongo composed the score and original tracks for the series, which replaced My Brother's Keeper in April. Genesis delves into the high-stakes world of gospel music where loyalty is tested and betrayal lurks around every corner . Led by veteran actors such as Baby Cele and Buyile Mdladla as owners of music label Genesis Records, the show explores family dynamics, power struggles, love and faith. From the studio recording scenes to the title sequences at the start and end of every episode, Mhlongo was at the helm. The Mail & Guardian caught up with Mhlongo, to speak about his experience in crafting the score that complements this new telenovela exploring the South African gospel industry with flair and thrill. M&G: You are a man of many creative abilities. Regarding your love of music, when and where did that start? Mhlongo: I have one childhood memory that has stuck in my mind. We once saw a film at primary school and all I remember from the movie is a scene of a guy playing a trumpet. I think that was at the end of the film. For some reason, I felt the deep emotion of that moment. I had no idea what was going on in the story but that musical moment captured me and I think that is the seed that germinated and grew all the years, leading to the creative harvest seen today. I've kept the depth of that moment as reference for much of the work I do. M&G: Right in the first scene of the first episode, we are blessed with a beautiful musical moment of the Thabethe family singing together — how did you get involved in this project and what was the brief from the producers? Mhlongo: Indeed, the first episode gives a great introduction of this musical and deeply gifted family. I was very excited and grateful when executive producer Sinini Mati called me and briefed me about the project. It sounded huge and complex because it would have to represent the complexities of the gospel industry both in story and in the actual sound. But my heart jumped with excitement. She said I was recommended to her and they extended the invitation for me to work with Mojalefa Thebe, a fellow composer, producer that I've known and respected for decades. M&G: Working on a long-form telenovela is different from composing music for the stage or radio. What were some of the challenges that you had to overcome? Mhlongo: The biggest challenge with a telenovela is to keep the music traveling and unfolding on par with the story. The music must do justice to the effective telling of the story. It is a continuous challenge until the very last scene of the finale. M&G: Genesis has a roster of heavyweight South African actors, including Gaosi Raditholo, Nay Maps and KB Motsilanyane, as the hilariously dramatic Wendy Sedibeng. What are some of your highlights working on this project? Mhlongo: With such a formidable cast of gifted artists, an excellent crew and astute artistic leaders, my highlight is experiencing the confidence we all have in each other's skills. You are surrounded by great talent and that motivates you to keep pursuing to be your best at your part of the great collective work. M&G: The telenovela has a character named Ishmael, played by Craig Nobela, who started busking on the streets and now has been signed by Genesis Records. In your view as a musician how important is support structure in grooming young talent? Mhlongo: The representation of our society and its challenges, as well as its opportunities, is at the core of a project like Genesis. It is indeed a fictional project but it seeks to realistically portray society. Support from society and the industry is therefore, one of the underlying themes in the storyline. We get to see how this complex music industry functions and how it handles loyalty, support and the pursuit of big dreams. M&G: Some parts of the show somewhat pay homage to the late Sfiso Ncwane. Who are some of the South African gospel artists who have influenced your work in general as a music composer Mhlongo: Indeed, the late Ncwane is referenced, as are other great contributors who are yet to come up in the course of the series. As for my own influence, instead of particular names I rather say that I draw great inspiration from good-quality music and excellent musicianship. Of course, each age of artistic output has certain leaders and game changers that represent that epoch — and this country is blessed with so many of them. The late great Sihle Kunene was my first direct influence and mentor in songwriting and producing. I have feasted on scores of others since then until today, with a mention of the likes of Bheka Mthethwa, Oupa Sithela, Nomfundo Xaluva and many others. M&G: Last, you are also an author, with a debut novel Goodbye from our Worlds published in 2022, how are you able to balance the creative energy between literature, music and performing arts? Mhlongo: I have always found myself working in ways that pull both my creative strands of sounds and words. I therefore find that as long as I am artistically sincere in my creative work, the balance is not a challenge at all. Instead, the occasional swings between words and sounds actually help enhance and broaden my artistic imagination. Catch Genesis on Mzansi Magic (DStv channel 161) weekdays at 7.30pm and also on DStv Catch Up.
News24
05-06-2025
- Business
- News24
Genesis cast members let the media and fans into their set world
Supplied Genesis is produced by Singavision Productions, and it airs on Mzansi Magic (DStv channel 161). Cast members of the show include veteran actors such as Buyile Mdladla, Baby Cele, KB Motsilanyane and Sibongile Nojila. MultiChoice recently invited the media and some fans to the show's set. It is always interesting to see what goes on behind the scenes during the making of our favourite television shows. Recently, we visited the world of the Gigabas, and the Sedibengs on their Genesis set in Gauteng. The telenovela that took over from My Brother's Keeper from April is all about the world of gospel music. It follows Felicia Thabethe (played by Baby Cele) who built an empire, Genesis Records, with her late husband Muzi Thabethe. She later married Gabriel Gigaba (played by Buyile Mdladla) who joined the family business. The couple is faced with secrets and betrayals, including Gabriel's hidden child with the record label's superstar, Mmarona (played by Gaosi Raditholo). The truth only came out after the child's death while Felicia's son, Bonko (portrayed by Nay Maps Maphalala) was in preparation to marry Mmarona. Gabriel also has an affair with one of the record label's board members. Through all the betrayal, Felicia tries to keep the secrets to protect the family empire, while Gabriel tries to push her out of the business. Within all the mess, Wendy Sedibeng (Keabetswe Motsilanyane) tries by all means to ensure that her daughter, Mmarona, marries into the Gigaba family so that she would be her ticket out of poverty. The media and ten DStv Rewards winners had an early call time as we joined the cast and crew of the show. We were taken on a tour of the gigantic house that is used for the Gigabas, and just a few metres away from it was the house used for the Sedibengs. Speaking to City Press during the tour, former 7de Laan actress Motsilanyane said she had not thought she would be able to pull off the toxic mother character; she was grateful to the producers and other crew members for the support. She said that, when she saw the make-up, wigs and clothes Wendy would wear, she fell in love with her. @citypressza The Mzansi Magic and DStv Rewards teams invited us to witness the hard work that goes into the making of Genesis 😁 We caught all the behind the scenes action, and loved every minute of being on set with the cast and crew. Watch the full video on our YouTube channel: City Press #genesismzansi #mzansimagic #dstvrewards #genesismzansimagic ♬ EL NOPAL - Goliath Flores 'I feel like I've been lucky, because if they had allowed me to chicken out of it, I would have,' she said. The songstress said, deep into the character, she found her fun, but sometimes she would cry on her way home because of the character's stunts. The reception from viewers had been humbling, because Wendy was relatable. Wendy has two daughters, but she cannot stand the eldest because she was unemployed. The number one rule about any character you play is that you have to be an advocate for them. Even though, as a person, you don't share the same principles, once you get into character, you have to agree with this person 100%. I allow myself to just get into that space. It takes a lot of preparation and work. KB Motsilanyane It was interesting to see the results of the thoughts and hard work the wardrobe and make-up departments put into bringing each character to life. We were taken through mood boards for each character and how the colours of the clothes must represent the status and emotions the person is going through in a particular episode. Seeing one scene being done over and over again to get the perfect one made us understand why our actors are fighting tooth and bail for the Performers' Protection Amendment Bill as well as the Copyright Amendment Bill. They really have to get those royalities, because the dedication and passion are a beauty to witness. Maphalala said moving from Umkhokha: The Curse and having to strip down Mkhululi to make way for Bonko had not been too hard because he could relate to both the characters, and it was exciting for him. The only difference was the types of churches. Supplied Supplied One of the executive producers of the show, Sinini Nyathi-Mati, who worked with veteran producer Duma Ndlovu on almost all his shows, said now that she was wearing the boss hat, she understood why Duma would often say he had hardly slept. Nyathi-Mati has served other executive producers for 20 years in the industry. She said, although one could never be fully ready for the position, it was nice to experience it. She told City Press that she had learnt to pay her dues. 'We started developing Genesis a year ago because the development was intense. We had to go all out with the research and speak to gospel artists, fallen heroes of the gospel industry and successful people. That we are now here as executive producers is a humbling experience. We are improving the story every day, so we hope people will love the show,' she said. Kagiso Mogale, who met Nyathi-Mati on Stained Glass TV's eHostela, also wrote some of Ndlovu's shows, including Umkhokha: The Curse and My Brother's Keeper, is now the executive producer and head writer of Genesis. Some of the show's cast members include Kealeboga Masango, Sibongile Nojila, Josias Moleele, Kaabo-Ya-One Mokhine and Craig Nobela, to name but a few. Produced by Singavision Productions, Genesis airs on Monday to Friday on Mzansi Magic (DStv channel 161) at 7.30pm.
