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Cape Town - Charming, stylish and self-confident – there’s a new diva in town and you can’t miss her if you tried.
7de Laan character Khethiwe, played by Sesethu Ntombela (23), certainly made an entrance. Chanelle (Luandri Reynders) was trying on a dress for her big night when suddenly an unfamiliar voice commented, "I agree – that dress isn’t going to work."
Chanelle had been uncertain about the dress and Khethiwe, self-appointed fashion police, couldn’t let a disaster like that happen on her watch. She was, after all, in the boutique to see Connie (Quinne Brown) about a shop assistant position.
"Khethiwe is a fun but challenging character to play," Sesethu tells YOU.
"She’s young, full of life and passionate. She’s not shy at all and doesn’t hold back. Sometimes she says too much but I always find it funny because she means well," says Sesethu, from Cradock in the Eastern Cape.
She’s trod the boards in several theatre productions, including performances at the Stellenbosch Woordfees, the Artscape Theatre Festival in Cape Town and the National Arts Festival in Makhanda (previously Grahamstown).
But she describes her part in the popular SABC2 soapie as a highlight of her career so far.
"The 7de Laan set is one of the best I’ve ever been on," says Sesethu, who’s also been in Afrikaans soap Binnelanders as Mbali.
"I enjoy every moment of acting and also just to watch and learn from what the older actors are doing. I still have to pinch myself to make sure I’m not dreaming."
She especially enjoys working with Quinne. "[The] 7de Laan [set] has a fast tempo and her energy calms me," she says.
"The entire team is funny and friendly and we’re always laughing," she adds.
Apart from acting and singing, Sesethu is also a sporting enthusiast.
"I love sports, especially cricket, so I often watch matches at Wanderers here in Johannesburg. I play netball and hockey from time to time," she says.
"I also like discovering new things and exploring new places. If something sounds like it might be an adventure, I’m in."
Sesethu is one of three new faces in Hillside. Blyde Smit (Gabby) and Clint Aplon (Romeo) are also new to the soapie. All three actors are part of 7de Laan’s internship programme.
Khethiwe and Blyde know each other from their student years at the University of Pretoria. "When I was in my second year, she was the director of a play I was in. It’s a great pleasure to be working with her again."
