Local soapie Generations has stood the test of time since it first hit local screens in 1994.
And although it has undergone changes throughout the years – most notably when the show was rebooted in 2014 following a labour dispute between executive producer Mfundi Vundla and the cast – the acting talent that it introduced to us is still largely associated with its legacy. We look at where some of the show’s biggest stars are now.
1. Sello Maake KaNcube (Archie Moroka)
made his debut in Generations in the soapie’s early days and quickly became a hit with viewers until his first departure in 1997, he left permanently in 2002. In addition to doing theatre work, the 61-year-old actor has enjoyed a prolific acting career, staring in well-known local dramas such as e.tv’s Scandal!, Rockville and currently, Mzansi Magic’s The Queen.
2. Connie Ferguson (Karabo Moroka)
Connie made her debut in the hit soapie in 1994. She is one of a few on the show to have retained her role for over a decade, leaving the show after 16 years, only to return to in the new-look Generations: The Legacy. The 49-year-old media mogul has appeared in several other popular shows throughout her enduring career, including Soul City, Solly Loves Kina, Late Night News with Connie Ferguson, Comedy Roast Central, The Wild, Rockville and as a celeb dancer in Strictly Come Dancing.
Connie has gone on to extend her reach beyond just being in front of the camera, having co-founded Ferguson Films alongside her husband, Shona Ferguson, in 2010. Connie went on to become a producer and star in one of her company’s hottest productions, The Queen, where she currently stars as a druglord’s widow named Harriet Khoza.
3. Xolile Tshabalala (Julia Motene)
The actress, who viewers will remember as Julia Motene, made her first appearance in the show in 2002 and stayed on until 2005. The 42-year-old has also worked on other television productions such as Justice for All, Scoop Schoombie, Isidingo, Secret in my Bosom, and Soul City among others. In addition to her on-screen career, Xolile is also a director and spiritual seer. The award-winning actress, who told Move! magazine three years ago that she has no interest in returning to soapies, is focused on the behind-the-scenes side of things, which is primarily directing.
Since then she joined the cast of Netflix's Blood and Water as Fikile's mother, Khosi Ngema.
READ MORE: Xolile Tshabalala says she'll never return to soapies
4. Rapulana Seiphemo (Tau Mogale)
Rapulana resigned from Generations: The Legacy in September 2020.
He made his debut in the “old” Generations before he left for Muvhango for few years ago and then returned to Generations: The Legacy.
He is now acting alongside Connie Ferguson in The Queen.
5. Cedwyn Joel (Sonny Jacobs)
Cedwyn is also among the actors who were introduced to viewers during iGenerations’ early days in the ’90s but he left the show in 2004. Having left the soapie, the 66-year-old veteran actor moved on to star in many other television productions, including 7de Laan, Buurtwag, Die Boekklub, Known Gods, League of Glory, Malan en Kie, Meeulanders, Stellenbosch, Swartwater, Transito as well as Vloeksteen.
He currently stars in Netflix series Blood and Water as Mr. Hartenburg.
6. Pamela Nomvete (Ntsiki Lukhele)
Having made her debut in 1994, Pamela played the role of Ntski, a character who was very much known for her manipulative nature. The Ethiopian-born actress is also known for her lead role in 2004’s Zulu Love Letter. Thereafter she moved to the UK for a stint in the British series Coronation Street and returned to local screens in 2017 in the Mzansi Magic hit series Lockdown.
Recently, she bagged a role in an Idris Elba series titled In The Long Run.
7. Fana Mokoena (Dr Mandla Sithole)
Fana made his debut in 1998. He also boasts a prolific career in movie productions, having appeared in a number of notable films such as Hotel Rwanda as well as Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom. He appeared in 2013’s World War Z alongside Hollywood superstar Brad Pitt. He is currently a member of parliament as well as an executive member of the the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF).
8. Maggie Benedict (Akhona Griffiths)
On the show, viewers were always moved by her emotional scenes and stellar acting. Since leaving the show, Maggie has appeared in US show, The Good Doctor and the movie The Queen of Katwe.
9. Dumisani Mbebe (Dumisani Shabane)
On Generations, before the legacy, he was Kethiwe's charming lover. After leaving the show, he has been part of shows such as Uncovered, Between Friends and BET's Isono.
Now, he has recently joined the cast of Mzanis Magic series, Umzami Wami.
