New cast of six children from across South Africa join the brand-new season of live-action shorts
Celebrity guest stars include Lloyd Cele, Donovan Goliath, Refilwe Modiselle, LeAnne Dlamini, Rorisang Thandekiso and Ray Malo
Disney Channel premieres the second season of locally produced live-action short series My Magic is Me today, Friday, 12 May at 16:50. Inspired by Disney Channel’s core values of entertaining, informing, and inspiring children across the globe, My Magic is Me will premiere on the channel, DStv Channel 303, weekly and welcomes a new cast of incredible “Magic Makers”.
Following a nationwide open casting call, Disney Channel called on kids aged 7-12 to submit audition videos as either individuals or duos, showing off their creativity or special skills that make them magic. Six children were chosen and ultimately teamed up with a local celebrity guest star to share their talent.
The cast of the series included a budding skateboarder Naledi Shange (9) who had South African Idols’s runner-up Lloyd Cele as her mentor for the day, while singer LeAnne Dlamini headed to Cape Town to meet BMX biking champ Cruz Hendry (9), where he tested her skills on the ramps.
Nine-year-old Beverley Makanaka Wedzerai is a keen animator who loves art and being creative and was the perfect match with model and actress Refilwe Modiselle.
Presenter and musician Rorisang Thandekiso was blown away by a Johannesburg-based musical duo, seven-year-old songwriter who calls himself ND Boy and 10-year-old DJ and dancer DJ Retha.
Gymnasts Azotha Mlambo (Durban) and Sophia Todd (Paarl), both seven-years-old got comedian and content creator Donovan Goliath all tied up with their stellar performances and Durban-based would-be comedian Siphosethu Lushaba tests singer Ray Malo’s wit and sense of humour in sunny KZN.
The first season of the series was a mix of live-action and animated short-form content that celebrated every-day kids from diverse backgrounds who were cast as the leads in their own personal stories. This season we see a new cast of kids spreading that magic and sharing what makes them different and audaciously unique.
The series is produced by Brainbow Conscious Creators and the essence behind the approach was based on the way in which the targeted age group are exploring their industrious phase according to the Erik Erickson development chart. In this phase of their growth, building self-esteem, identity and community play a big role for young people who connect through shared interests – like fashion, hairstyles, sports and other recreational activities and these become subcultures.
“My Magic is Me aims to strengthen the narrative of self-acceptance and celebration of diversity among young children while celebrating their magic and what makes them an individual,” says Christine Service, Senior Vice President and Country Manager of The Walt Disney Company Africa. “We are exceptionally proud of the new cast of kids whose sheer drive and determination allows them to stand out and so willingly share who they are with us all.”
Season 2 Cast
Naledi Shange (episode 1)
Naledi Shange is a 9-year-old old skater from Johannesburg. She watched her older brother skate and decided to give it a try a year ago. It turns out she’s a natural and, because of her new skills, she has recently been featured in a Telkom ad. She is also very creative and loves drawing, entering a competition with retailer Spar which resulted in her artwork appearing on one of their delivery trucks.
Cruz Hendry (episode 2)
Nine-year-old Capetonian Cruz Hendry already competes in a BMX World Championships, with an upcoming event in August. He has won competitions all over the country and on expert level for the Under-11 category. He has his own YouTube page where he takes viewers along for the ride as he various tackles trails.
Beverley Makanaka Wedzerai (episode 3)
Johannesburg-based Beverley is an artist and singer. She loves creating feel-good stories and was encouraged by her mom to nurture her love for drawing by turning them into animated movies. Her favourite Disney Channel show is Big City Greens.
ND Boy and DJ Retha (episode 4)
DJ Retha is a 10-year-old musician, choreographer, dancer and DJ from Johannesburg who loves performing. Besides performing to large crowds, he also hosts dance classes in his neighbourhood. ND Boy (7), also from Johannesburg is a young, talented song-writer and musician. He started writing music at the tender age of 4. Both his parents, also performers, recognised his talents and nurtured his passions, with them being his biggest fans.
Azotha Mlambo and Sophia Todd (episode 5)
Azotha Mlambo from KwaZulu Natal is a 7-year-old aspiring acrobat. She’s always had a natural knack for it and began formal training a little over a year ago. Her Western Cape counterpart Sophia Todd (7) has been doing acrobatics and gymnastics since she was 5-year-old. She has entered many competitions and is headed to America to compete on a global level for acrobatics.
Siphosethu Lushaba (episode 6)
Siphosethu, or Sethu as she prefers being called, is an 11-year-old budding writer, actress and comedian from Durban. She loves telling stories and making people laugh. She loves the idea of being an actress because she can be whoever she wants to be.
Season 2 Guest Stars
Lloyd Cele (episode 1)
Singer Lloyd Cele rose to fame in 2010 after coming in as the runner-up in the South African Idols finale. He has since gone on to produce award-winning music, playing at regular gigs around the country.
LeAnne Dlamini (episode 2)
Award-winning R&B singer and entrepreneur LeAnne Dlamini is a dynamic personality. She regards herself as a purpose-driven entrepreneur who started the #EndGirlHate movement, which calls on women to stand together and empower themselves and each other.
Refilwe Modiselle (episode 3)
Multi-talented Refilwe Modiselle is an award-winning actress, model, MC and TV and radio host. She became South Africa’s first professional fashion model with albinism after she began modelling at the age of 13.
Rorisang Thandekiso (episode 4)
Rorisang Thandekiso started her career in the entertainment industry as a presenter of YO-TV before going on to work across radio and television as a presenter and host. She is incredibly passionate about music and performs with a band as often as possible at events like Bush Fire Festival and Cape Town Jazz Festival.
Donovan Goliath (episode 5)
Comedian, MC and content creator extraordinaire, Donovan Goliath first walked on stage to perform in 2010 at the Comedy Underground in Melville, Johannesburg. He’s performed at various events across the country since, becoming part of the famed GoliathandGoliath team. He’s been nominated for various awards, recently winning the “How I Shot it Award” at the inaugural for DStv Content Creator Awards.
Ray Malo (episode 6)
Emerging music sensation Ray Malo has a crisp sound that ranges from dance pop to urban and aims to put the new age of South African youth on the global map. She was the featured artist on Disney Africa’s localised soundtrack of the Disney’s From our Family to Yours Christmas advert for 2022. Her rendition of the track, The Gift, was both emotive and powerful. Listeners can expect her debut release this year.
