Mohalenyane Phakela
LESOTHO’S very own Tseko Monaheng will debut on popular South African soapie, Rhythm City on 1 February this year in a storyline about Basotho gangs in South Africa.
The Khubetsoana-born actor auditioned for the role in October 2017 and has since shooting scenes for the upcoming episodes for the popular soapie.
Rhythm City premiered on 9 July 2007 in the competitive 6:30pm time slot but later on moved to 7pm. Its storyline revolves around the trials and tribulations of those who are trying to break into the music industry and the infidelity, backstabbing, abortion, homosexuality, love and drug addictions of those who have made it in the business.
Speaking from his Bedford View residence in Johannesburg, South Africa, Monaheng said that he was called for auditions in 2016 after the soapie’s producers decided to introduce a storyline of Basotho gangs in South Africa known as Marashea.
“People may be aware that Rhythm City’s storyline challenges a lot of things as recently they have just talked the issue of traditional circumcision so this time they want to tap into Marashea,” Monaheng said.
“I previously worked with the producers of Rhythm City on the telenovela Ea Lla which was also about Marashea so they thought of me when they wanted to introduce this concept on the popular soapie.
Monaheng was discovered in 2005 by veteran actor and producer, Silas Monyatsi while hosting auditions for AIDS drama Ke Khetho Eaka.
His career blossomed in the same year he went on to star in Untitled – a locally produced short film by Kaizer Matsumunyane and he also featured in a number of HIV/AIDS radio dramas.
He debuted on the South African scene in 2006 on Soul City’s Untitled Stories including Mapule’s Choice and Monna Motsamai. He never looked back as he went on to feature in several local and South African films.
Locally he featured on films such as Kau la Poo and Lilaphalapha while in South Africa he had roles in productions like Mantsopa and Qomatsi and various Lesedi FM radio dramas.
“It is a huge honour to work with established actors as I get to learn a lot and keep up with times,” he said.