Actress and TV presenter Candice Modiselle might have started the year on a high, but the petite beauty says it is only the beginning.

Trying to pin this busy bee down proves a tiring task as the first call I make for an interview with her goes unanswered and is followed by a text that reads: "I am in a meeting, please call me at 2:30pm."

Over an hour-and-a-half later, Modiselle, 22, explains that she and her group of friends are working on a big secret project that is going to be revealed later this year.

"We are taking baby steps but as soon as we are done with these first stages I will let you know. This year I am coming for everything. It is just a matter of time until people see my true abilities," she says.

Her loud, infectious laugh and spontaneous jokes make chatting to her easy and enjoyable.

The youngest of the Modiselle sisters (big sis Refilwe is a model and television personality as is middle sister Bontle) has just landed herself a role on popular SABC soapie Generations: The Legacy, playing the character of Lerato.

The talented beauty, who is also a dancer, says her first acting gig and experience on the set of the soapie has been a thrill so far.

"It has been beautiful - challenging in some spaces - but really I have grown so much in such a short space of time.

"I started at the end of November going into December. I was introduced to the character, who is very light-hearted as much as she is a villain. She is still lovable, though. The crew and cast are beautiful. They are very encouraging, the energy is encouraging."

The Yo-TV presenter says she received a call from her agent telling her about the auditions for Lerato and that the producers liked her.

Modiselle says she will be keeping her Yo-TV gig as she shoots on Wednesdays and Fridays with her call time for the soapie tailored around her presenting job.

Born and bred in Orange Grove, Johannesburg, to a Tswana family, Modiselle says she struggled on set with speaking Tswana due to her upbringing and private schools she attended.

She says her sisters and mother are her biggest fans and critics.

The youngster shows sometimes beauty does go with brains as she has just graduated with a BA honours degree from Wits University.

madibogoj@timesmedia.co.za