From next week Monday (1 September) Thato will be presenting a new game show called What's Behind The Wall? The show will broadcast twice a week on Monday and Tuesday at 7pm.
Thato was one of sixteen cast members fired by Generations creator and executive producer, Mfundi Vundla.
The 29-year-old joined the popular drama in 2011 as bad boy character, Nicholas. He has also appeared in SABC 1 HIV/AIDS awareness drama, Intersexions and acted in a movie, Taka Taka alongside Trevor Noah and Kagiso Lediga.
In his new gig, Thato will tests the contestants general knowledge of events. As host, Thato takes control in facilitating the game making sure he is in sync with the playful style and comic elements of the questions. He will constantly communicate with the voice of the Wall as the clues are revealed poking fun at contestants and creating a more relaxed interaction.
Congratulations on your first presenting gig, how do you feel?
It is refreshing and exicting to start new challenges as an artist. The life of a performer is all about taking on new characters and convincing the world that they are real. Presenting is more challenging than it looks and I have discovered that it's an art of its own.
What comes first, acting or presenting?
What comes first is this art called acting which allows me to express myself through playing different roles. The opportunities that acting presents, allows me to use my passion for the youth and South Africa by implementing youth developmental programs which are encouraging reading, self love and career building through the popular pillar of TV.
I know you are currently studying towards a Business Degree, how is it going so far?
It's a scary venture and with my crazy schedule of work, family and trying to build a new company, it's a challenge. It's a journey that I'm excited about which will help me grow in understanding the fundamentals of marketing and business operations better.
Other axed Generations actors who have side gigs include Sophie Ndaba (brand ambassador for Cell C), Anga Makhubalo (music recording artist), and Winnie Ntshaba (entrepreneur and founder of the Royalty Soapie Awards). Thato's future is definitely looking bright and as he put it: "I love this quote by Steve Biko: 'I would rather die for an idea that will live, rather than live for an idea that will die'. Forward we move towards progress."
In every episode of What’s Behind the Wall?, four contestants are challenged to discover the historical, sports or current events hidden behind the wall. The wall consists of 14 bricks, two of the bricks are elimination bricks and 12 bricks give the contestants a chance to bank the money.The quicker they answer the question the more money they stand to bank. Only the contestant with the most banked cash will make it to the final round to guess the historic image imbedded in the bricks and claim their banked cash. This is going to be an exciting show, so don't miss out!
File photo: Gallo
Journalist Siphelele Buthelezi is fascinated with Le good life, enjoys SA and international entertainment and fashion.