Actress Noxee Maqashalala enjoys the fact that, in her almost 15 years in the industry, thought-provoking character roles have landed on her plate. Now she is making her foray into soaps, cast as a mother for the first time, in e.tv’s Rhythm City. Debashine Thangevelo got the lowdown on the intricacies of her story arc…
IF THERE is one lesson that this cut-throat industry imparts on its actors, it is to harness that never-say-die attitude. But, like Noxee Maqashalala, when you harbour an unshakeable goal, success is more easily attained.
The 35-year-old actress is perhaps best recognised for her role as Viwe in SABC1’s Tsha Tsha, and as Mandisa in one of the most lauded dramas to grace the channel – Intersexions.
Reflecting on her gravitation towards showbiz, she shares: “Growing up, I’ve always been interested in performing. I’m a rural girl from the Eastern Cape.
“I would write about stuff that would touch me. And one of the things that piqued my interest was observing families, especially when the husbands had to go off to Joburg to work in the mines. I wrote a play on that; cast my friends and convinced my principal – I was in Grade 4 then – to stage it. And she did on a Sunday afternoon.”
In high school, music and drama formed the mainstay of her interests. When she had finished, she made her way to the entertainment hub of SA where a friend suggested she sign up with a casting agency called Contractors Artists. She has never looked back… and is still with the agency.
Maqashalala laughs: “I remember walking in there [the agency] like I owned the place. After I explained that I wanted to be an actress, they took my details and sent me to audition that evening for the movie Tarzan, which was being shot in Sun City. And I got it.
“After that I did a few commercials before getting my big break on Tsha Tsha.”
Before moving on to another show, the actress took a break and headed for Dublin, Ireland, to study psychology.
As for the radical career change, she explains: “I know (smiles). I enjoy one-on-one conversations and listening to people. I always wanted to help other people.”
After returning, she dived back into the world of lights, camera and action with Umtshato (The Wedding), a feature film, before returning to TV.
She auditioned for several other characters – one of which was playing Shado, the other as David Genaro’s lover and two other parts – but wasn’t successful.
However, Rhythm City’s creative team felt she would be perfect to play Zothile (Suffocate’s ex-girlfriend).
“I’ve been trying to get on the show for a very long time,” she admits. “After four or five auditions, they felt I would be perfect for this character.”
Aside from Rhythm City heralding her venture into soaps, she also plays a mother for the first time.
“This role confirmed how very broody I am. It was really, really fun. And the actor who plays my teenage son kept calling me ‘mum’ on and off set. Zothile is a married woman. She has a 14-year-old son from her previous relationship.
“She is a strong woman and fights for her family. Having experienced the gang life, she is glad to have closed the door on that… until her son’s interest in the lifestyle.”
Without giving away much of the storyline, let’s just say the upheaval opens a can of worms. As for working with a heavyweight home-grown talent like Mduduzi Mabaso (Suffocate), Maqashalala praises: “He’s brilliant; an amazing actor. He takes his craft so seriously that you can’t help but be motivated and inspired.”
Although the actress had barrels of fun on set, the storyline, for now, has a lifespan. But it could be expanded if the writers so desire.
Meanwhile, it’s back to auditions and her personal project as a counsellor to abused women and children in the Eastern Cape.
• Rhythm City airs on e.tv at 6.30pm on weekdays.