The anticipated second season of Intersexions premieres on SABC1 this Tuesday (12 February) at 20h30 and introduces new talent.
As you may know, the series held
open auditions in spring last year in a three-city road show. The auditions discovered five actors and actresses who were cast in various sized roles. Some appear in one episode while others play a lead role in more - there are 26 episodes in the season.
None of the stars from Season 1 will be returning - the season features an all new cast with all new characters.
Famous faces to lookout for in the new season include Sizwe Msutu (Interrogation Room, Stokvel), former Generations actress Tina Jaxa, Luthuli Dlamini (Scandal!, The Coconuts), Bonang Matheba
and Jub Jub's former flame Amanda du-Pont.
Director Rolie Nikiwe (Rhythm City, A Place Called Home) takes the reins behind the scenes as overall creative director and heads up a team of directors who've each directed different episodes.
The directing team includes actors S'thandiwe Kgoroge, Sisanda Henna and Xolile Tshabalala
who've made a switch to directing.
Keep a lookout on TVSA for the Intersexions 2 mini-site with more about the full cast and characters.
In the meantime, meet the five who were cast from the open auditions
...
Ncibijana Madlala
35-year-old Ncibijana Madlala was cajoled by a friend to attend the Intersexions open auditions and it turned out to be one of the best decisions he's ever made.
After matric Ncibijana did a couple of jobs to eke out a living including trying his hand at cabinet making and working in a call centre but he could not ignore his passion for acting and performing.
He undertook some acting training at MNM talent agency between 2003 and 2005 and has never looked back. His breakthrough came in 2008 in television drama series A Place Called Home where he played a character named Jabu. He has been acting since then, mainly doing industrial theatre.
“Intersexions is huge in this business and I have always admired their work. Working with them has reinvigorated my belief in myself as an actor and I know from now on I am capable of bigger projects,’’ he says.
He plays the team soccer coach to Two Step (Abdul Khoza) in Episode 6.
Phila Madlingozi
“Entertainment runs in my veins,” says Jozi-based Phila Mandlingozi. The budding artist is certain Intersexions won’t be his last show as he plays a lead role as Zolile in episodes 1, 2, 24 and 25.
Zolile is a handsome, natural athlete, who is popular at school among both the boys and girls but can be a bit arrogant.
Phila, who also sings and writes, says although he's always been interested in acting and studied film and television production, the magic of acting came alive when he landed a leading part in the show.
“I fell truly in love with acting on Intersexions and felt at home. In the beginning it was awkward because I had never acted a big part before but the very talented cast and crew made it easy for me to work,” he says.
Amanda Mbatha
Durban based 22-year-old Amanda Mbatha is an aspiring actress who also loves modelling, singing and dancing. She's currently studying drama and psychology at the University of KwaZulu Natal and developed a love for the arts at a young age.
Although she'd never done any acting, apart from high school productions at Durban Girls College, she took the opportunity to audition for Intersexions to pursue her dream of being an actress and film director. She features in episode 12 as Busi, one of Sdumo’s lovers.
“Learning and watching my fellow cast-mates, the directors and cameramen at work further confirmed my love for the industry and am now more serious about my acting and determined to pursue directing and producing after completing my degree,” says Amanda.
An extrovert by nature, Amanda says she felt right at home on set: “I think this is a beautiful platform and I'm going to take this and run with it.”
Lwazi Mthembu
21-year-old aspiring actress Lwazi Mthembu says: “The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.’’
She's not afraid of hard work and firmly believes in the old adage that ‘Rome was not built in a day’. She says she's been building towards her career since her toothy Grade 1 days when she took part in school productions.
Now studying for a BA in Performing Arts at Wits University, Lwazi's determined to learn as much as she can about the industry.
Although hers is a small part as a nurse in episode three, she is content with her television debut and is grateful to have been a part of the few new actors chosen from 5000 hopefuls who turned up for open auditions.
“Although I played a small part, it’s one step closer to the big dream. I found television more challenging compared to theatre where it’s easier to connect with the audience but I am glad I stepped out of my comfort zone,” says Lwazi.
She's convinced South Africa’s youth must play a part in the change needed to make the country a major economic player on the continent and globally.
“The arts are a powerful tool for change and I will be a part of it,” Lwazi says.
Zola Nombona
For Eastern Cape born Zola Nombona, the acting bug bit by chance, when she acted as Sarafina at a family friend’s graduation ceremony in junior school. The 20-year-old went on to study drama and acting at Victoria Girls High School before pursuing the trade at Wits University where she's currently studying for an honours degree in Dramatic Arts.
Intersexions is her first television acting part and she plays a featured role in episode five as Shado, Rosie’s quirky and fun cousin. The challenge she says has broadened her horizons.
“Working on Intersexions was a very exciting, eye opening, insightful and different experience for me. Having to adjust to the very small and intimate acting style of television was very challenging as I am used to big and overt acting in the theatre, but I cracked it and had fun in the process,” says Zola.