It's one of the longest soapies in SA and it doesn't show any signs of slowing down.
Generations and now Generations: The Legacy has been part of SA families from the time of Archie Moroka and his family until today.
Recently Generations announced the return of two of their most beloved stars in Connie Ferguson and Rapulana Seiphemo, who will reprise their roles as Karabo Moroka and Tau Mogale respectively.
Mlungisi Duncan of The Queen and The Republic fame has taken on a role that at first started as a cameo. The actor, whose career began in earnest in 2006, plays an embattled jail bird that has now been written into the current plot line more regularly.
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“I was born and raised in Nongoma. In January of 2006 I moved to Durban and that is where I started to pursue my career in acting.”
From spending time moving up the ranks in the theatre, his career has seen him grace the small screen for a few years now. Generations: The Legacy had an opportunity he just could not deny himself the chance to appear on a show as vaunted as this one has become and remains.
“My role on generations is not permanent, I’m still a visiting actor but I’m always grateful to receive a call from Generations,” he says in an elated tone.
He has also found love in the heart of an incredibly skilled actor in Dawn Thandeka King, who is one of the most booked actors this year. Mlungisi isn’t feeling any pressure but there are expectations around him being as good as she is or at the very least him attempting to do so.
Mlungisi has nothing but praise for his cast mates and is elated to be working alongside the likes of Connie and Rapulana for one of the most successful show runners in South African television history in Mfundi Vundla.
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“It is an honour to work with an actor of that calibre,” the 42-year-old says.
He has high hopes for the way his portrayal will be and believes you will enjoy his efforts in this regard.
“I think viewers relate with the character because they see these people in their world and the character is well executed,” he explains confidently.
He didn’t have to do much research to get to grips with the role as his upbringing in KwaMashu saw him exposed to people who had to contend with family members being incarcerated, “most of my brothers from KwaMashu, they experienced prison therefore it was very easy to research."
His background as an actor didn’t hurt his exploits either and he has funnelled his skills from that realm into this new opportunity.
He is honest in what he hopes his career as an actor will yield for him but there are a few things that come with this job that he isn’t so keen on, “Fame,” he says with a laugh.
“I love people, but I love my work too. I don’t know about fame.”
Being on a production that has had some iconic and household names come and go is something he is relishing fulling.
“I looked up to so many actors growing up. Actors like Menzi Ngubane,” he explains.
Let us know what you think of Mlungisi’s role as Solomon the convict.
