Bonang says “No thanks” to Generations’ offer

Television personality Bonang Matheba reportedly turned down a role in ‘Generations: The Legacy’ – a chance many actors would kill for.Bonang, who is rumoured to be working on her own talk show, works as a presenter on ‘Top Billing’, and also host the mid-day show on Metro FM, turned down an offer from Mfundi Vundla, reports Sunday World.

A production insider told the paper that Bonang was approached towards the end of March for a screen test, but said she was too busy.

“She told the producers to come back to her in 2016 because she’s too busy to take another project at the moment,” said the insider.

Bonang confirmed that she received a letter from the soapie bosses requesting that she try out to become part of the show, but rejected the offer because of her busy schedule.

“They told me that they had created a role for me and I told them that I am overworked. I suggested that they should approach me in a year or so when my diary is free,” said Matheba.

Matheba said that it was “painful to say no to Generations because it is a very big soapie”.

“But I am overwhelmed. I don’t think I am ready for Generations but when I saw the character I saw Bonang Matheba,” she added.

Sources have reportedly revealed that Bonang’s role has since been snapped up by former Elizabeth Arden model, Lerato Moloi.

The insider said that Lerato has already started shooting scenes for the character of Scarlet.

The 33-year-old model said: “I can’t comment, the right person to comment is Phophi Mulaudzi (casting director for Generations) because they told me not to say anything.”

It is said that Lerato will play the role of Scarlet (35), a model who comes from a working class family. Her mother, however, started entering her into beauty pageants at an early age, because of her exquisite beauty, and she was discovered by a modelling scout when she was 15.

Viewers of the soapie will reportedly meet Scarlet when she approaches Ezweni to launch her lingerie range, the first of many products she plans on launching under her name.