Faces of 2013: My dream year…

Former Live It presenter, Solomon Sebothoma, has a big year ahead. The 27-year-old, second of nine siblings, shares his prospects with Khotso Sello.

He may have been playing on the small circuit of youth TV programming as a co-presenter of Live It, the health awareness show on SABC 1, but now Solomon Sebothoma finds himself in prime time television and on the biggest local show.

Sebothoma debuts on Generations next week in the role of Shaun.

Landing a role on South Africa’s most watched soapie is no easy feat. It’s a dream job by local standards and even those who barely get a foot in are often set for bigger things.

That said, Sebothoma, a BA in Live Performance graduate from the SA School of Motion Picture Medium and Live Performance (AFDA) did not let fear dictate terms to him when he set out to audition for Generations.

Now the energetic and casual lad from Thokoza on the East Rand will be seen on the show playing a geek who grew up in a foster home. He moves to the big city to make a living alongside his adopted sister (played by Cleopatra Simelane).

Shaun is a likeable introvert, who wears the trademark nerd glasses, but he is also a sneaky bugger who notices everything around him but acts shy to cover up his guile – almost like a silent assassin.

“It was nerve-wracking, yet exciting,” Sebothoma says of his first days on set.

“I just did not want to mess up in front of seasoned professionals, which I guess pushed me to work that little bit harder. I’m a bit of a techno junkie myself so I could draw that bit into my character. He is an interesting bloke.”

Being in the midst of a well-oiled production machine like Generations can be daunting, but for the former YFM intern, his adrenaline was positively converted. His decision to slog a tad harder to not disappoint anyone or look out of place paid off.

He confesses: “At first I was a bundle of nerves as I walked into the make-up room. But Sophie Ndaba (who plays Queen) was so warm and welcoming. As a matter of fact, the whole cast and crew are humble and nice. Generations is a family and I don’t feel lost at all.”

Sebothoma reports that it’s so far, so good in terms of adjusting, building friendships, and learning from fellow cast members. The environment, on and off set, is “genuine”, which he says allows for the constructive exchange of expertise off camera.

“It’s still early days, but I would call it a healthy working environment which extends beyond just the shoots,” he says.

With his star shining so brightly in 2013, Sebothoma plans to capitalise and venture into other opportunities, especially after he’s worked so hard behind the scenes before as a project manager, a researcher, a production assistant and a road show team executive for several companies.

“My agent and I have also looked at spreading my wings as far as west Africa, plus I’ve done a couple of shoots on Tinsel, (a popular Nigerian soapie) so it won’t be a first.”

Sebothoma is also studying towards an LLB degree. He comes across as a humble and respectful individual. Fame is probably at the bottom of his wish list. Right now, he wants to be the best he can be and let the rest take care of itself.

» Sebothoma debuts on Generations on Tuesday January 22 at 8pm on SABC 1.