Motsuki convincing as evil stepmother
AFTER making her television debut in 2010, Hellen Motsuki says it was during that unforgettable “Generations scandal”, when actors were suspended and eventually fired after they went on strike – that her role as Nadia, was beginning to flourish.
The drama resulted in South Africa’s most viewed and longest-running soapie coming to a halt. Although she didn’t have a big role in the show, Motsuki was among the 16 actors who were axed from the popular soapie in 2014.
“I didn’t take it personally when I wasn’t called back for
Generations: The Legacy,” she said. Fast forward to 2017 and Motsuki is reunited with the former Generations cast Thato Molamu, Zenande Mfenyana and Zolisa Xaluva on DStv’s Mzansi Magic drama series by another former
Generations co-star Connie Ferguson, The Queen. Motsuki plays a role of the evil step parent, who abuses her niece, Refilwe.
“Suzy is a very bitter woman. She and her husband are very abusive towards the troubled niece who was ‘forced’ into their care, following the teenager’s mother’s tragic death at the hands of the father,” she explains. She added that her reaction when she first read the script was that “it was a challenging one, especially the part about abusing a child who doesn’t have parents. I lost my mother when I was younger and my dad two years ago, so it hit home.”
Suzy believes in the saying that “you spare the rod, you spoil the child”, hence she sees nothing wrong with beating up Refilwe. And in her heart of hearts she really thinks she cares for Refilwe.
“Her resentment for her niece originates from far deeper that what is on the surface. Suzy is a married woman who is struggling to fall pregnant. In her longing for a baby, she somewhat hopes that Refilwe would fall pregnant and she will then raise the child as her own. She also secretly blames Refilwe for her inability to conceive because she’s always stressed out due to her troublesome behaviour.
“Refilwe is that stubborn child that everyone complains about and Suzy doesn’t know how to deal with her,” she adds.
Asked how her character is different to her personally, Motsuki says: “I’m this kind and sweet person, no matter how you hurt (me) I don’t shout. I don’t remember ever shouting at any human being, so Suzy and I are totally different, which was quite challenging too but I did a lot of research and practice. In acting school they teach you how to get into the character but not getting out of the character; all that bitterness and anger.”
And she has interesting remedies: “I meditate ... I sit in my car and listen to loud music ... for an hour and then I will say a little prayer.”
The actress also makes appearances on the SABC 2 soapie Muvhango as Advocate Grace.
“I’m still at Muvhango, on a call basis. Whenever they need a lawyer, they call me. I’ve been King Azwindini, Teboho and Thandaza’s lawyer so far. It’s been three years now.”
The Limpopo-born starlet is no stranger to the small screen. In 2013, she played alongside Stoan Seate in Mzansi Magic’s Khumo, Lehuma le Kgosi:
War. She played Melita in SABC1’s Skeem Saam and also made a cameo appearance on Rockville.
The actress, model and businesswoman also reveals that she recently opened a spa and a beauty parlour, which will officially launch next month. Another exciting project this year is a Christian-based book that is in the pipeline.
“I’m writing a book about the women in the Bible, how they relate to this modern life, what we can learn from them, especially with all the challenges women are facing today. It will be launching this year.”
Motsuki is also “graduating this year with a Media Practice Degree from Boston Media House. I majored in television and sound engineering.”
She says she is hoping for a big role this year. The Queen airs weekdays at 9pm on Mzansi Magic, DStv channel 161.