‘REJUVENATED’ MAKHENE RETURNS
The star, who is back in SABC1’s much-loved ‘Generations: The Legacy’, says fatigue forced her to take a break
AFTER about a year of being away from the limelight, actress and singer Letoya Makhene is back and rejuvenated to reclaim her spot.
Makhane, 35, has rejoined Generations: The Legacy and brought back her character, Tshidi, who mysteriously disappeared last year. The storyline follows the one night of passion that turned Tshidi’s life upside down when, in a moment of weakness, she spent the night with Jack Mabaso and fell pregnant, wreaking havoc on her marriage to Gaddafi.
Jack couldn’t contain his excitement, or more accurately, his obsession. He would finally have an heir. He finally had a chance to leave a real legacy behind through his son. However, a scared Tshidi didn’t want her child to be anything like Jack, so with the help of Sphe and her mother Zondiwe she made everyone believe that she was dead and fled the country.
Makhene told The Star yesterday that fatigue had led her to leave SABC1’s second most-watched show last year. The five-day shoots, which sometimes lasted for up to 12 hours, had battered her mind and body.
“I had originally left not only because I needed time to focus on my music and to be a mom to my kids, but because I was fatigued. I suffered from actor’s fatigue.
“My body and mind were screaming to me for rest. My spirit was screaming for attention. I needed a moment to pull myself towards myself and to get my head together again.
“I went back because I had rested and I had achieved the things I wanted to achieve in my life away from the show. I needed to get my music on track. I’ve come back rejuvenated and ready to face anything,” Makhene said, adding that her character will come back with more edge and vigour.
Makhene started her shoot about three months ago and appeared on TV on Monday this week. However, her return was slotted right in the middle of the pandemic which has posed new challenges to her and the entire film industry.
Makhene said Covid-19 has put a new dynamic to the craft. “Life has changed for all of us and even as actors we cannot express intimacy through hugging. We have to remember to social distance, even on set. I think that kind of pushes you harder in terms of your performance and it ups your game because you have to find other ways to express yourself and affection without going the extra mile.“
During her hiatus, Makhene focused on her traditional healing (Sangoma) and on her music and released two singles, Qinisa and Ngihawukele,
However, it was her relationship with Lebo Kheswa, a businesswoman, also stole the headlines recently and caused many to form opinions on social media about their lesbian relationship“It (relationship) made headlines because people still go through shock when they see same-sex relationships. They tend to treat same-sex relationship as something that has not been normalised in our country...
“I wondered how coming out would affect my career and my future projects but I have no regrets. It’s the best thing I have done. I have always been a person who wants to express freely.
“There are things that are important to me. I’m proud of the person I’m with and I don’t owe anyone an explanation. It is liberating.”