The latest cast member to join the popular Cape Town soapie Suidooster is a pint-sized teen from Happy Valley.
With his chubby cheeks and lekker West Coast brei, Jadon Booysen, 13, has crept into the hearts of viewers since his debut two weeks ago.
The Grade 8 pupil at Silversands High School has dreams of becoming a pro soccer player but says for now, he is happy seeing himself on TV alongside stars such as Portia Joel and Jill Levenberg.
With no acting experience, the teen landed the role of Carlo, who is Tyron’s 11-year-old son from a previous relationship.
The two met each other for the first time after Carlo’s mom passed away but it was a rocky start to their relationship.
Jadon’s mom Wilma Booysen, 36, says she is proud of her son’s achievement.
“Last year in March, my husband and I started a soup kitchen in Happy Valley as part of our church initiative,” she says.
“I was introduced to Loretta who is now his agent. Loretta ran the WE CAN project in her part of the community.
“In February, Loretta called me and asked me for a boy in that age group to be part of Suidooster, but I had nobody to offer her from the community’s kids.
“She then asked me about Jadon and asked if I can send an image of him. She hadn’t met him before and based on a picture, they invited him to come for an audition.
“I encouraged him to be himself and display his natural qualities,” she says.
Wilma used to be a domestic worker but gave up her job to care for her two kids.
She makes ends meet by selling boerewors rolls on weekends.
Jadon says he is relishing his new role: “I’m really excited about being on Suidooster and I always admired Maurice Paige (Tyron) and I like working with him.
“I am comfortable working with him and we built a good relationship this far.
“I still want to be a soccer star but for now I will focus on my acting career.”