Mmabatho Mogomotsi took a two-year sabbatical after M-Net’s The Wild and The Pen, a stage production. Now she’s back and reinvigorated about acting, writes Debashine Thangevelo
INHABITING a host of characters can sometimes wreak havoc on an actor’s psyche. And that is where Mmabatho Mogomotsi found herself two years ago.
The seasoned actress explains: “I featured in The Wild, right at the end, though. I was also in a stage production called The Pen. It played at the Market Theatre and the Soweto Theatre. It was a tale of two women – one being a fantasy muse and the other a real girlfriend – and the man in love with both.”
Interestingly, Sello Maake ka-Ncube was the lead in that offering.
“For those last two productions, however, I found I couldn’t hit the mark and standards that I set for myself. So I went on a break and returned to Wits, (where she graduated in the dramatic arts), to finish my Masters. I was with all these young people and they gave me a new energy. I needed it so badly.”
As an actress, she admits that the stage remains her first love.
“That is where I hone my craft, polish my skill,” she notes. “The immediate interaction with the audience gives you such a rush.”
With TV series like 90 Plein Street, Heartlines, Hillside, Izoso Connexion, Yizo Yizo and Zero Tolerance under her belt, Mogomotsi has clearly bagged some plum projects in her career.
On returning to the small screen, she shares: “The time away was much needed. It was like my meditation period. I was not made to think about anything related to scripts, lines and time call. Basically, I was wearing a different hat altogether. Now I feel totally reinvigorated. This role on Rhythm City is my kind of welcome back in a way. And I’m hungry (to act).”
She, however, notes that being in front of the camera won’t be for too long as she isn’t done with her Masters.
Shedding light on how she bagged the role of Tshego Tselapedi, given that she distanced herself from the industry, she reveals: “The office called and asked me to do a screen test. They said they had this character and that they wanted me to do it. At the time, I said I didn’t want any long-term commitment as I still have my studies.”
As a real-life mother to two teenagers, one 13 and the other 15, a role like this seemed the perfect fit.
But she immediately points out that it isn’t quite as straightforward.
The actress admits: “The emotion comes from a special place. That is what makes the difference. And the mother-child dynamics are different. It’s all about how you bounce back with your onscreen child.
“I packaged the performance in a way that it is relatable. My character has her own energy and personality.’
Just to contextualise how Tshego slots into the storyline, she is Lerato’s mum and Fats’ paternal aunt. She has spent the past 25 years of her life taking care of the Du Preez family instead of her own daughter, who was raised by her grandmother. And Lerato harbours a lot of resentment towards her mother for it.
Meanwhile, Tshego attempts to help Lerato reconcile the circumstances that led to her not being as big a part of her daughter’s life as she would have liked.
“There are a few elements at play here,” she points out.
“On the one hand, she (Lerato) really pushes me and I’m pushing back to get through to her. It’s such a fine line between being forceful and gentle with sharing that love.”
Loving the vibe on set, Mogomotsi is also enjoying her scenes with co-stars Samkelo Ndlovu (Lerato), Jamie Bartlett (David Genaro) and Mpho Molepo (Fats).
Going forward, though, the actress would love to slip into a character who is a far cry from the goody-two-shoes she has been playing.
She smiles: “I would love to play a vixen, to show my versatility. I have done comedy and serious drama. I need an alter-ego to step out of this comfort zone. Maybe I will just write it myself…”
Thankfully, there is some reprieve in being cast in a motherly role this time.
She jokes: “The wardrobe is better than my mum’s – she is 83. So I’m making progress.”
• Mogomotsi makes her debut on Rhythm City on Thursday, March 12. It now airs at 7pm on e.tv.