Generations: The Legacy, a popular South African soap opera, is bidding farewell to four of its actors, including Buntu Petse and Karabo Maseko, who portray the characters Nontle and Luyolo, respectively.
Both Petse and Maseko joined the soapie in 2020, with Maseko having previously appeared on etv's Isipho and hosted some of the channel's youth programs. Petse, who recently announced her engagement, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to join Generations: The Legacy right after completing her studies.
"It was quite daunting entering a space as big as Generations: The Legacy, but the cast and the crew are such supportive people. The lessons I’m taking with me as I leave are tenacity, endurance and discipline because it is an intense job. The days turn into months, then they turn into years, and having to keep that character fresh and interesting is a big task."
Entering such a significant production was initially overwhelming for Petse, but she praised the supportive cast and crew. She reflected on the valuable lessons she learned during her time on the show, including tenacity, endurance, and discipline, as portraying a character consistently and keeping it interesting can be challenging.
Petse, who is also a lead on Netflix's Miseducation, mentioned the importance of learning lines quickly and shooting multiple scenes in a day, skills she acquired during her tenure on the soapie.
After three years, Petse expressed her love for the Generations: The Legacy cast and crew, considering them as family. She acknowledged the dedication and enthusiasm of the long-standing members of the show and encouraged them to continue their exceptional work.
Maseko shared his disbelief upon receiving the call to join Generations: The Legacy, stating that it felt like he had finally achieved something meaningful in his life. He expressed his admiration for the show's legacy and the opportunity to work alongside industry legends.
“When I got a call from Generations, I was in disbelief. I remember my first day there, I felt like I’d finally done something meaningful with my life. That’s how much I always wanted to be on the show that has made so many legends in the industry.”
Originally intended for a brief appearance, Maseko's character gradually became one of the leads due to his commitment and hard work on and off the set. Portraying a doctor on the show required extensive research, providing him with valuable insights into the medical profession.
In addition to Petse and Maseko, Zizipho Buti, who plays Tracy, and Rebaone Kgosimore, who portrays Paul, are also leaving Generations: The Legacy. The soapie released a statement acknowledging the remarkable contributions of these talented actors and expressing gratitude for their dedication and versatility.
“Generations: The Legacy is proud to celebrate the remarkable contribution of talented actors Buntu Petse, Karabo Maseko, Zizipho Buti and Rebaone Kgosimore. Through their stellar performance, these actors have contributed to the rich history of the show and as such, their departure marks a bittersweet moment,” read a statement released by the soapie on Wednesday.
While the four actors will be leaving the show to pursue other interests, viewers can still enjoy their performances until the end of the month. The soapie wishes them the best in their future endeavors and recognizes the special place they hold in the hearts of fans.
