Newbie in Muvhango: Former miss Botswana is living her childhood dream

Muvhango viewers were introduced to a rather weird and beautiful character of Khumo Motsamai who is portrayed by the beautiful Seneo Mabengano.

The 26-year-old actress grew up in a town called Selebi Phikwe in Botswana. She made her debut on October 12, and she has grabbed people’s attention with her new role and viewers are left wondering what her next move is.

When she first appeared in the soap opera, Muvhango, she did the unthinkable, she murdered the mother of her half brother James.

Moipone was incarcerated for kidnapping Mpho and Tenda’s daughter, Khumo went to prison and posed as Moipone’s lawyer meanwhile she had plans to murder her which she executed without anyone noticing.

Although James knows that his mother was murdered but he has no idea that it was done by his newly discovered sister.

Khumo is a lady of few words, with a killer smile, and very dangerous, she is not to be underestimated. She is a go-getter determined to achieve her goals by fair or foul means and she always gets what she wants.

Seneo was crowned miss Botswana in 2015.

The thespian, she’s a half Tswana and half Greek.

Having a stubborn and a pompous persona, her character is sure to ruffle some feathers “Khumo will stop at nothing to get what she wants, even at the expense of others.

Khumo enters the scene as James Motsamai’s long-lost half-sister from his father’s side. There is not much background to Khumo except what she allows people to see and know.

She comes in having moved away from her past after the death of her billionaire husband, and she is the new girl in the city of Johannesburg with a mission to take over,” says the former Miss Botswana.

She further added that despite similarities with Khumo, including her willingness to make things happen no matter what, she is not fond of Khumo’s evil nature.

“Her ability to turn a situation meant for bad, for good is something we have in common. But I will never do anything for my benefit at the expense of others, that is where the difference is.

Khumo does not see anybody but herself and her plans but on the other hand, I believe I am the most selfless person, it almost annoys me because I tend to forget about myself.

“I have a hunger to achieve greatness and success like Khumo, but I will not use people’s weaknesses and pain as my ladder to greatness. Khumo is generally not the kindest or loving person, nothing about her is genuine, but Seneo is the literal opposite.

Khumo is a contrast to Seneo except for the similarities I outlined,” said the beauty queen.

This is Seneo’s breakout role. She first auditioned in Gaborone, Botswana, following a social media post by Muvhango‘s casting team.

Her audition progressed to a second round in South Africa where she was shortlisted in a smaller group.

The beautiful actress reiterated that she was pleasantly surprised when she received a call informing her that she was chosen for the role. “After that audition, I went back home to Botswana hopeful and prayerful. 

Thankfully a month later, the phone call came, and here we are today; I am playing Khumo on Muvhango,’ said the delightful actress.

Despite her dream of becoming an actress as a child, she never envisaged she would get her break in Muvhango.

A show that has been running for the past 25 years. “Growing up, I always stood out for being talented in performing arts.

Thinking about it now makes me laugh, but it now makes a lot of sense. Back then, it was all abstract for my family and I, we never thought it would develop into something much bigger than that,” she shares.

“Life has not always been kind for Seneo. Her mother succumbed to death when she was only 13-years-old, which forced her and her brother to be brought up by their grandparents and later by her aunt and her husband, whom she regards as her parents.

“I was raised in a traditional home, respectful and loving grandparents who helped mould me into a well-rounded woman. I consider myself lucky to have experienced such an upbringing of rooted culture and having my grandparents contribute to how I was brought up,” says the former miss Botswana.

Catch Muvhango every weekday at 9pm on SABC 2.

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