He may not be a fan of capes, but Lesley Musina is on the brink of being a consumer rights superhero - doing it with effortless style in his trademark three-piece suits.
The charming Muvhango actor was this week announced as the new host of the long-running Speak Out consumer show on SABC2. He takes over from fellow Muvhango star Dingaan Mokebe.
Musina has shot a few episodes already because Muvhango was on a month's break. He plays the arrogant businessman Ndalamo in the soapie.
He promises to deliver Speak Out with a punch.
"I believe people will love it. I'm bringing my personal touch. People will hear me speak languages they didn't know I could speak," Musina says.
"There's always lots of drama, but I'm having, but above all. It's about empowering the consumer as well as business people to know how to deal with customers too."
Being on a show like Speak Out instantly makes the host an activist, something Musina says is not too much of an ask.
He comes from the mining border town of (wait for it), Musina, in Limpopo. While he did not experience apartheid, Musina says racism could be seen and felt at the town's annual show over the years where the different races sat on different sides of the pavilion.
"... But it never made sense to me," he adds.
Musina says he also uses his social media presence to comment on social issues.
"I do have an opinion and where I feel strongly I will comment.
"Some people say I'm a nice guy. Yes, I'm nice but firm. You don't need to be aggressive to sort things out. You must just know your facts and understand who you're dealing with. My job is to be a mediator and let the complainant speak out for themselves. When emotions go up, that's when I step in.
"I have the gift of being able to pacify people and situations, so I'm okay here."
Musina says he now has a heightened sense of consumerism and has had to study the Consumer Protection Act. He says common sense will stand him in good stead in conflict resolution.
His sterling journey has also been preparing him for this role. He presented Mind the Gap travel show on SABC2 in 2009 and starred in Scandal! on e.tv.
He started playing Ndalamo in May 2014 and says many doors have opened for him including jobs as an MC and an ambassadorial position as at the Gauteng department of social development.
Musina also runs his own events management company and dreams of venturing into infrastructure development.
He credits his mother who worked in clothing retail for his sense of style.
"She used to buy me 'labels' and I've learned about how colours compliment each other from her."
It's been a good week for Musina after Sowetan short-listed him for the Mzansi Sexiest Man Award which he says is flattering. "I didn't see that one coming. I'm not saying I'm a sex symbol but I suppose people like what I do."
l Speak Out returns on Thursday October 6 2016 at 9.30pm.
mofokengl@sowetan.co.za
Musina is ready to Speak Out for consumer
He may not be a fan of capes, but Lesley Musina is on the brink of being a consumer rights superhero - doing it with effortless style in his trademark three-piece suits.
The charming Muvhango actor was this week announced as the new host of the long-running Speak Out consumer show on SABC2. He takes over from fellow Muvhango star Dingaan Mokebe.
Musina has shot a few episodes already because Muvhango was on a month's break. He plays the arrogant businessman Ndalamo in the soapie.
He promises to deliver Speak Out with a punch.
"I believe people will love it. I'm bringing my personal touch. People will hear me speak languages they didn't know I could speak," Musina says.
"There's always lots of drama, but I'm having, but above all. It's about empowering the consumer as well as business people to know how to deal with customers too."
Being on a show like Speak Out instantly makes the host an activist, something Musina says is not too much of an ask.
He comes from the mining border town of (wait for it), Musina, in Limpopo. While he did not experience apartheid, Musina says racism could be seen and felt at the town's annual show over the years where the different races sat on different sides of the pavilion.
"... But it never made sense to me," he adds.
Musina says he also uses his social media presence to comment on social issues.
"I do have an opinion and where I feel strongly I will comment.
"Some people say I'm a nice guy. Yes, I'm nice but firm. You don't need to be aggressive to sort things out. You must just know your facts and understand who you're dealing with. My job is to be a mediator and let the complainant speak out for themselves. When emotions go up, that's when I step in.
"I have the gift of being able to pacify people and situations, so I'm okay here."
Musina says he now has a heightened sense of consumerism and has had to study the Consumer Protection Act. He says common sense will stand him in good stead in conflict resolution.
His sterling journey has also been preparing him for this role. He presented Mind the Gap travel show on SABC2 in 2009 and starred in Scandal! on e.tv.
He started playing Ndalamo in May 2014 and says many doors have opened for him including jobs as an MC and an ambassadorial position as at the Gauteng department of social development.
Musina also runs his own events management company and dreams of venturing into infrastructure development.
He credits his mother who worked in clothing retail for his sense of style.
"She used to buy me 'labels' and I've learned about how colours compliment each other from her."
It's been a good week for Musina after Sowetan short-listed him for the Mzansi Sexiest Man Award which he says is flattering. "I didn't see that one coming. I'm not saying I'm a sex symbol but I suppose people like what I do."
l Speak Out returns on Thursday October 6 2016 at 9.30pm.
mofokengl@sowetan.co.za
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