As you'll know if you've been watching Mzansi Magic's
Genesis, it's aaaall about Wendy for Wendy.
KB Motsilyane as Wendy Sedibeng
Here's a close-up on her backstory from her character bible, which KB would have worked from to realise the role:
Wendy was well on her way to stardom when she was seduced by the fame, money and men.
It is her poor choices in men that led to her demise, stranded with two kids and fathers who want nothing to do with her and her brood.
When life dealt her a raw deal and people turned their backs on her, Wendy’s little light dimmed inside of her and she vowed to put herself first, no matter the cost.
Wendy stays true to her vow, she looks out for number one. She’s a shrewd woman who lives her dreams vicariously through her daughter Mmarona, denying her the chance to live her own life.
Wendy doesn’t just shoot from the hip, her words stab like a dagger. The woman is a bulldozer of note, with zero remorse for her words and actions.
Much as Mmarona is her favourite child, Mmarona is her victim, a puppet on a string.
Wendy knows the cost of fame and she pays it forward by sacrificing Mmarona for fame and fortune.
After all, Wendy is a woman who willed her teen daughter to be groomed by Gabriel, concealed her pregnancy and passed on the child to the daughter with fewer prospects, aggravating the enmity between her two daughters.
Wendy is forced to forge her way through life and fend for herself, aging disgracefully.
Wants: To remain relevant and in the spotlight, regardless of the cost.
Needs: To forgive herself for her mistakes and make better choices.
Wound: Being spat out by the entertainment industry remains her biggest wound.
Related character portrait:
Baby Cele as Felicia Thabethe-Gigaba