The news may come as a surprise to many - such is the low-key manner
in which the channel went about finding a replacement for the ousted
Brenda Ngxoli.
The Zone 14 actress (she plays Samkelisiwe Nkambule) said yesterday
about being on the celebrity gossip and entertainment magazine show: "The
producers (Urban Brew Studios) had call auditions and I was asked to
audition.
"I think if it was a public nationwide call for auditions I wouldn't have
tried out- that's really awkward if you're already in the public eye because
it's almost like you're begging and you're out of a job."
Ngxoli was released from the job last year and Phat Joe, real name Majota
Kambule, has been conducting in-studio interviews and presenting solo -- with the
help of inserts from events.
Thusi, who is still on Zone 14 despite completing shooting with the show a
while ago, also co-owns Ayana Africa model Management, and has presented SABC
3’s kids' show iCrew.
SABC 1 spokesman Vukile Madlala said Thusi's addition to the show was "a
welcome development as Phat Joe had to drive the show on his own"
following Ngxoli’s departure.
Asked if she would be shedding her sweet persona for the new - and far bitchier -
role, Thusi said she didn't take up the job to be "mean".
She added: "Nothing has and will change about me, which I hope people will
appreciate, because I don't think anybody goes on TV to out people but because
they love the job and TV.
"But this is a job, and I'm very excited to learn from someone as
experienced as 'Joe'."
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