Rosie Motene

Last updated

Rosie Motene
Born
Rosie Motene
NationalitySouth African
Education Damelin College
University of the Witwatersrand
Occupations
  • Life coach
  • Counsellor
  • Speaker
  • Film producer
  • Author
  • Activist
Known for

Rosie Motene is a South African actress, author, [1] [2] film producer [3] and activist. [4] She is a Pan African queer and feminist and speaker on GBV and LGBTQI in Africa. [5] She is the author of the 161-paged book, Reclaiming the Soil: A Black Girl's Struggle to Find Her African Self. [6] She is a Pan-African media proprietor and was one of the as the jurors at the fifth edition of Mashariki African Film Festival (MAFF) in 2019. [7] ZAlebs mentioned her as one of the most prevalent cast members of the Urban Brew Studios. [8]

Contents

Career

Rosie Motene earned a Bachelor of Arts in Dramatic Arts (Honours) from the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits University) in Johannesburg. [9]

She achieved national prominence for her portrayal of Tsego Motene on the SABC1 soap opera Generations (2000–2004), a role that made her a household name in South Africa. [10]

She later became a host and field reporter for Studio 53, a Pan-African lifestyle and travel show on M-Net. She eventually trained and worked as a producer and director on the program. [11]

Rosie made her international film debut in Hotel Rwanda (2004), and later starred as Mandisa in Nothing But the Truth (2008), written and directed by John Kani. The stage version toured internationally with performances at the Sydney Opera House, Brisbane Festival, and various UK cities including London, Leeds, Leicester, Manchester, Birmingham, and Nottingham. [10]

She also appeared in the Heartlines short film The Other Woman, directed by Cindy Lee. [12]

Motene co-produced the critically acclaimed film Man on Ground (2011), directed by Akin Omotoso. The film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival and received international acclaim. [11]

She served as Head of Programming, Productions, and Acquisitions at NTV Uganda and Spark TV, where she conceptualised and executive produced over 30 programs in English and Luganda. [10]

Rosie is the producer of The Woman Who Poked the Leopard: The Stella Nyanzi Story, directed by Patience Nitumwesiga. [9]

She founded Waka Talent Agency, one of the first Pan-African talent management companies. The agency represented artists in 14 African countries and closed in 2024. [11]

Rosie has worked in feminist and human rights advocacy for more than two decades. She began her activism with POWA (People Opposing Women Abuse) in 1999 and joined the 1in9 Campaign at its inception in 2006, providing advocacy, consultancy, and feminist mentorship. She is currently developing a documentary about the campaign. [9]

She has served on several boards, including:

   Childline Gauteng (Chairperson)
   Infinite Family
   Johannesburg Children’s Home
   Tomorrow Trust [11]

She currently serves as Co-Chairperson of The Other Foundation and is a board member of the Sexual and Reproductive Justice Coalition (SRJC).

Motene has climbed Mount Kilimanjaro twice — first as South Africa’s ambassador for UN Women’s Africa Unite Campaign to end gender-based violence, and again to raise funds for Tomorrow Trust, generating over R20,000. [11]

She founded Letsatsi Healing Space, a trauma-informed, African-centred healing practice offering counseling, breathwork, reflective writing, and life coaching. [9]

In 2018, she published her memoir Reclaiming the Soil: A Black Girl’s Struggle to Find Her African Self, which explores themes of identity, cultural reconnection, adoption, and healing. [9]

She currently runs the blog and podcast Speaking Through My World, where she shares insights on African feminism, healing justice, and intersectional activism. [9]

Filmography

Films

YearFilmRoleNotesRef.
2011 Man on Ground ProducerDrama [3]
2010Jury DividedActress (Juror 2)Drama [13]
2008 Nothing But the Truth Actress (Mandisa)Comedy, Drama [14]
2004 Hotel Rwanda Actress (Receptionist)Biography, Drama, History [15]
Gums & NosesActress (Scoffing Ad Woman 2)Comedy [16]

Television series

YearFilmRoleNotesRef.
2007Wild at HeartActress (Kenyetta, 1 episode (2007))TV series (2006–2013), Drama [17]
2000–2004GenerationsActress (Tsego Motene (2000–2004), unknown episodes)TV series (1993 -), Drama [18] [19]

References

  1. ↑ "EXCLUSIVE: Boniswa Meslane slams "hypocrite" Black Coffee after alleged rape by colleague". East Coast Radio. 22 June 2020. Retrieved 30 November 2020.
  2. ↑ Zokufa-Kathilu, Lusanda (11 August 2019). "Bringing back the culture of reading". Artlink. Market Theatre Foundation. Retrieved 30 November 2020.
  3. 1 2 "Full Cast & Crew: Man on Ground (2011)". IMDb. Retrieved 30 November 2020.
  4. ↑ "Joko announces the launch of its '#EndDomesticSilence' initiative". Media Update. 18 September 2019. Retrieved 30 November 2020.
  5. ↑ "Vodacom launches R5-million fund to support survivors of GBV". Media Update. 27 August 2020. Retrieved 30 November 2020.
  6. ↑ Motene, Rosie (2018). Reclaiming the Soil: A Black Girl's Struggle to Find Her African Self. Porcupine Press. ISBN   978-1928276425 . Retrieved 30 November 2020.{{cite book}}: |website= ignored (help)
  7. ↑ Nsabimana, Eddie (2 April 2019). "Mashariki African Film Festival concludes with award ceremony". The New Times. Retrieved 30 November 2020.
  8. ↑ "Nonhle, Rosie & Mpho speak on their Zabalaza characters". Zalebs. Africa News Media. 22 June 2020. Retrieved 30 November 2020.
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Rosie Motene – Nonviolent Conflict". International Center on Nonviolent Conflict. Retrieved 4 August 2025.
  10. 1 2 3 "Generations’ Motene on her journey from South Africa to Uganda". Daily Monitor (Uganda). Retrieved 4 August 2025.
  11. 1 2 3 4 5 "Interview with Rosie Motene – Media Professional". Inner City Gazette. Retrieved 4 August 2025.
  12. ↑ "Rosie Motene – IMDb". IMDb. Retrieved 4 August 2025.
  13. ↑ "Jury Divided (2010)". IMDb. Retrieved 30 November 2020.
  14. ↑ "Nothing But the Truth (II) (2008)". IMDb . Retrieved 30 November 2020.
  15. ↑ "Hotel Rwanda (2004)". IMDb . Retrieved 30 November 2020.
  16. ↑ "Full Cast & Crew: Gums & Noses (2004)". IMDb. Retrieved 30 November 2020.
  17. ↑ "Full Cast & Crew: Wild at Heart (2006–2013)". IMDb. Retrieved 30 November 2020.
  18. ↑ "Full Cast & Crew: Generations (1993– )". IMDb. Retrieved 30 November 2020.
  19. ↑ Motene, Phemelo (23 September 2020). "Rosie Motene Calls Out Black Coffee For Enabling An Alleged Rapist". Zalebs. Retrieved 30 November 2020.
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