Viacom Africa has commissioned a local TV series of 6 episodes, produced by Ochre Media, set for broadcast in September 2019, to tell the biographical story of the late kwaito singer Lebo Mathosa, nicknamed "Madonna of the Townships" whose meteoric rise to fame was cut short when she died aged 29 in a car crash in October 2006 when her vehicle hit a tree.
The bisexual bottle-blonde artist who tried acting in-between a personal life and career filled with alcohol, drugs, partying and scandalous tabloid gossip, made appearances in South African TV soaps in guest roles ranging from Muvhango and Generations to Backstage.
Now Viacom Africa's BET Africa (DStv 129) is doing an open casting call, looking for an actress to portray the life of the former "wild child" Lebo Mathosa in a biographical series that will tell the story of how "a young, shy and ambitious girl transformed herself into a powerhouse in the music industry at the height of the country's social transition".
Auditions for The Lebo Mathosa Story will take place only in Johannesburg, on Sunday 31 March at Sky Rink Studios at 132 Main Street, Marshalltown from 08:00.
The series is looking for a young "Lebo Mathosa" wannabe aged between 10 and 14 years, as well as someone between 20 and 30 to portray the older Lebo Mathosa leading up to the point of her untimely death.
The Lebo Mathosa Story is a collaboration between BET Africa and the Lebo Mathosa Foundation.
"Bringing Lebo Mathosa's biopic to the streets and screens of South Africa is an example of BET's commitment to celebrating black excellence and culture," says Monde Twala, vice president for Youth, Music and BET at Viacom International Media Networks Africa (VIMN Africa).
"Lebo was a pivotal voice of her generation and her legacy continues to inspire. It's about time we share her untold story with audiences across the continent."
The Lebo Mathosa Story will take viewers on a journey to the 1990s at the beginning of the South African kwaito revolution from the start of her fame as a member of the kwaito group, Boom Shaka, before pursuing a solo career.
