Introduction
I call myself an actor because I take my craft seriously. I prefer the term “actor” over “actress” because, most of the time, the term “actress” carries a different connotation, and for me, it’s never about gender—it’s about the art itself.
I was born in town but grew up in East London. Moving from a place like East London to Johannesburg to start over and chase a dream is incredibly difficult. You arrive and have to announce to the world, “Hey, I have a dream, please listen to me, check me out—this is what I’m about!” But in reality, you have to start from nothing.
Taking the Leap
I moved to Johannesburg in 2013. I didn’t know anyone, I didn’t have connections, and I had no clear plan—just a strong sense of purpose. I knew I wanted to act, and to make it happen, I had to pick myself up and take action.
Perseverance is critical in this industry. If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that if you sit around waiting for things to happen, you’ll end up waiting forever.
My First Steps in the Industry
When I first arrived, I got a job as a media assistant at a media monitoring company. Essentially, I was doing data capturing, working with print and forecasting. I was in the media industry, but not in the way I wanted. I was behind the scenes, watching amazing people live their dreams, and I knew I wanted to be a part of that.
One day, while managing social media feeds, I saw an advertisement for South Africa’s Best Talent. I mentioned it to a colleague, who encouraged me to audition. But since I worked a 9-to-5 job, I couldn’t attend in-person auditions, so I had to submit a self-tape. At first, I was hesitant and scared, but my colleague challenged me, even placing a bet—if I got through, I had to pay her R200 because I didn’t believe in myself, and if I didn’t, she’d pay me.
So, I submitted my video. It was poorly shot, my nephew was screaming in the background, and my sister, who was filming, made it blurry—but I sent it anyway. Two weeks later, I got a call: I had made it to the semi-finals!
The Competition Experience
The competition was sponsored by a company called MAC (not the makeup brand). I went in, still unsure if I was taking it seriously. At the semi-finals, there were 50 contestants, and I was number 45. Watching the other contestants give their all made me feel guilty because I hadn’t been taking it seriously—I was just in it for the money. But something clicked in me at that moment: Why not give it my all? I have nothing to lose.
I made it through to the finals. We were down to 15 contestants, and I was the last one selected. In fact, I was originally not going to be chosen, but because I picked up my phone when they called, I got in.
The Turning Point
At the finals, we had to perform two monologues—one assigned to us and one of our choice. I chose a monologue from The Devil Wears Prada, attempting to channel Meryl Streep. It was a bold move, but I wanted to challenge myself.
Since I was number 15, I went last. Watching everyone else perform dramatic, intense pieces—crying, dying, or being arrested—I felt out of place because my monologue was comedic. I thought, There’s no way I’m making it through.
They were selecting five winners, each receiving R10,000, a contract, and a year’s supply of MAC products. More than anything, I wanted the contract. I stepped on stage, gave it my all, and when the judges gave feedback, Connie Ferguson commented on how I had a natural way of engaging with the camera. She said that many new actors tend to forget the camera is there, but I instinctively knew how to perform for both the audience and the lens. That stuck with me.
To cut the story short—I won! I was the second name called. I remember sitting there in disbelief, waiting for someone else to stand up. The host had to call my name again before I realized I was the winner.
Reality Check
Winning the competition was a high moment, but reality hit hard afterward. I thought, Okay, I have a contract now—everything else will fall into place. But it didn’t work that way.
My first role was in a movie, but I only had two lines as a nun. That was humbling. After that, I stayed home for six months without work. That was my first real industry lesson: Just because you have one breakthrough doesn’t mean you’ve “made it.”
Breaking Into the Industry
I started looking for an agent, which was another challenge. Agencies were charging ridiculous fees just to sign up. I eventually learned that legitimate agencies do not charge upfront fees.
While shadowing actors on a set, I met someone from M-Net who was working on a short film. I auditioned for it, got called back, and landed the lead role. The short film, The Ring, was part of Mzansi Magic’s Bicycle Project. It was my first major role, and it allowed me to work alongside industry veterans like Kenneth Nkosi.
Kenneth advised me on getting a proper agent and educated me on how the industry works. I realized that sometimes, the best way to learn is by asking questions and surrounding yourself with knowledgeable people.
Lessons in Acting and the Industry
Acting is more than just memorizing lines. It’s about understanding the character, bringing a part of yourself into the role, and being prepared for anything.
You may go into an audition fully prepared for one script, and when you get there, they give you something completely different. You can’t panic—you have to be adaptable. There’s always someone behind you, ready to take your place if you hesitate.
Rejection is also a big part of this journey. You might audition five times for the same role, see the same people at every callback, and still not get it. Then, weeks later, you see someone completely different in the role. It’s frustrating, but you have to learn to take rejection as part of the process.
Finding Your Unique Factor
The industry is saturated. There are many young, talented actors who look just like you, sound like you, and want the same things you do. So, what makes you stand out?
You need to have a clear sense of why you want to be an actor. If your goal is just to be famous, it won’t sustain you. Fame is fickle. What matters is your craft and your ability to bring something unique to the screen.
Final Words of Advice
- Keep learning. If you’re not getting acting gigs, shadow professionals, take classes, and study performances.
- Be prepared. Every audition, every role, and every opportunity is a chance to grow.
- Know your worth. Don’t let rejection define you.
- Network. The people you meet today might be the ones who give you your big break tomorrow.
- Create your own content. If opportunities don’t come to you, create them.
The entertainment industry is tough, but if you’re persistent and passionate, you’ll carve out a space for yourself.
