Rosie Motene
To her Ugandan audience, Rosie Motene is best known for her role as Tsego Motene in the South African soap Generations (2000-2004) which airs every Sunday on WBS television.
To her Ugandan audience, Rosie Motene is best known for her role as Tsego Motene in the South African soap Generations (2000-2004) which airs every Sunday on WBS television. Motene was recently in Kampala with the studio 53 crew. Susan Muyiyi caught up with her.
Yours must be an adventurous life.
Yes! I love travelling and experiencing new places but getting used to the different time zones is one challenge. Another is sometimes having to work soon after getting off the plane.
To your television audience, you have to appear fresh all the time. The noise and heat while shooting down town near the Mosque at Old Kampala, smiling for the cameras from 10:00am- 7:00pm, while my jaw hurts is part of the job.
To a novice, my job at Studio 53 may appear as merely smiling into the cameras. However, my hair is done for 30 minutes, the makeup for 45 minutes. I also have to master my lines and smile!
I am on my feet most of time. I have learnt how to quickly fix small things like touching up.
Would you trade your work for something else?
No way! Being on stage is my life.
Every profession entails hard work. Although Studio 53 is a 30-minute programme, a lot goes in making it appear to the viewers the way it does.
How has the transformation from small to big screen been?
Fantastic! Being cast as the receptionist in the academy award-nominated film Hotel Rwanda starring Don Cheadle and Nick Nolte was such a rewarding experience. It was my first role in a big film. Actually, people say that I look like a muryarwanda.
Has success come smoothly for you?
There are several obstacles to overcome. You just don’t become famous in an instant. Many people will try to bring you down. At times, I have to work long hours. I am passionate about what I do and that is what keeps me going.
There is also a lot of networking to do. To those planning to follow this career path, don’t lose heart when not chosen to act a particular role. My second audition attempt for the role of Tsego was a success.
Family?
I am the last born in a family of six. I have two brothers and three sisters
I live alone in my flat, but of course family is important to me.
Are there similarities between the characters you play and the real Rosie?
While acting, I completely become the other person. I feel what the character does. The real Rosie is different.
Life philosophy?
Laugh a lot (laughs). There would be a void without laughter. Love is also important.
Love life?
I was in a relationship for a very long time which unfortunately didn’t work out.
So at the moment, there is no one. I am not worried about finding love though. I would rather wait for the right person than to just be with anybody.
Is your age one of your most guarded secrets?
No (laughs). I will celebrate my 34th birthday this September.
Style?
I love clothes and can fit in anything from jeans to a princess ball gown, a kanga and T -shirt.
Are you a makeup freak?
Surprisingly, I don’t wear make up when off screen. I prefer to allow my face to breathe.
Yours must be an adventurous life.
Yes! I love travelling and experiencing new places but getting used to the different time zones is one challenge. Another is sometimes having to work soon after getting off the plane.
To your television audience, you have to appear fresh all the time. The noise and heat while shooting down town near the Mosque at Old Kampala, smiling for the cameras from 10:00am- 7:00pm, while my jaw hurts is part of the job.
To a novice, my job at Studio 53 may appear as merely smiling into the cameras. However, my hair is done for 30 minutes, the makeup for 45 minutes. I also have to master my lines and smile!
I am on my feet most of time. I have learnt how to quickly fix small things like touching up.
Would you trade your work for something else?
No way! Being on stage is my life.
Every profession entails hard work. Although Studio 53 is a 30-minute programme, a lot goes in making it appear to the viewers the way it does.
How has the transformation from small to big screen been?
Fantastic! Being cast as the receptionist in the academy award-nominated film Hotel Rwanda starring Don Cheadle and Nick Nolte was such a rewarding experience. It was my first role in a big film. Actually, people say that I look like a muryarwanda.
Has success come smoothly for you?
There are several obstacles to overcome. You just don’t become famous in an instant. Many people will try to bring you down. At times, I have to work long hours. I am passionate about what I do and that is what keeps me going.
There is also a lot of networking to do. To those planning to follow this career path, don’t lose heart when not chosen to act a particular role. My second audition attempt for the role of Tsego was a success.
Family?
I am the last born in a family of six. I have two brothers and three sisters
I live alone in my flat, but of course family is important to me.
Are there similarities between the characters you play and the real Rosie?
While acting, I completely become the other person. I feel what the character does. The real Rosie is different.
Life philosophy?
Laugh a lot (laughs). There would be a void without laughter. Love is also important.
Love life?
I was in a relationship for a very long time which unfortunately didn’t work out.
So at the moment, there is no one. I am not worried about finding love though. I would rather wait for the right person than to just be with anybody.
Is your age one of your most guarded secrets?
No (laughs). I will celebrate my 34th birthday this September.
Style?
I love clothes and can fit in anything from jeans to a princess ball gown, a kanga and T -shirt.
Are you a makeup freak?
Surprisingly, I don’t wear make up when off screen. I prefer to allow my face to breathe.