Generations

Weekdays SABC1 (*191) 20:00

While Kope Makge is currently onscreen as Getty’s (Andisiwe Dweba) gangster ex Mrekza on Generations – The Legacy (2014-current), TV audiences will know him better as the face of the OLX ads. But the 30-year-old is also a musician and he’s building up his acting CV at a furious speed, having appeared on local telenovela Ashes To Ashes (2015current) as Pastor Otsile.

What’s the difference between your Ashes character and Mrekza? Well, Mrekza is a gangster and a typical care-free, streetwise character, whereas Otsile was a pastor, an old soul who embodies a heartbroken man. What roles do you look for when auditioning? I look for roles that create an allowance to portray a character freely, roles that allow me to interpret the script in my way while still executing the brief. Do your characters reflect who you are at all? Yes and no. I believe that it takes a bit of the true self and the fictional character to connect. With my gangster role on Generations, I decided to add a little humour to my scenes as the soapie as a whole is so serious, so I created comic relief but still executing the brief proficiently. You’re also a musician and comedian – how do you balance everything? If I could truly detail my profession on a day-to-day, I’d say that I embody five occupations. But if my mother could be a mother, wife, sister, student, employee, businesswoman, mentor, friend and colleague, then I’m safe. Talent is a gift, not a burden. When whatever I do feels exhausting, prayer is my secret to great balance. Where are you more at ease – in front of the camera or in studio? I’m at my easiest when among people because they bring out my true spontaneous self. NB! See more on p14.