Thandekile Maseko is a South African budding actress. She called it quits with her job as an air hostess two years ago because of her love for acting. But her major concern at the moment is to make a name in the Nigerian film industry, otherwise known as Nollywood. In this interview with MERCY MICHAEL, she talks about growing up, life as a single mum and career, among other issues.
HOW did your journey as an actress start?
About two years ago, I was walking down the road with a friend when we saw a group of people having an audition. Immediately I approached the place, the producer said: “You are the one we’ve been looking for.” At first, I was stunned because I just wanted to go and have a look at what they were doing. But I was auditioned and that was how it all started.
So, how has it been so far?
I have just finished shooting a 56-episode drama series called Lincoln Clan produced by Total Recall Production, a Nigerian company. They came to South Africa to shoot the series. It took them two months to complete it. That isn’t their first project that I have worked on. I worked with them in September last year when we shot The Dragon. In both the Lincoln Clan and The Dragon, I played the lead roles. Dragon was a 26-episode series. It will begin airing probably in August, but I’m not sure of the particular station yet.
What’s your impression about Nollywood?
Wow! I think it is one country, where stars are celebrated. To be an actress in Nigeria is something very big. In my country, there are just so many of them. It’s not as if we are not recognized, but not like it is here. Here, they support African movies; they support actors; they celebrate them and even go out of their ways to make them feel important. So, the whole experience has been amazing.
What were you doing before you went into acting?
I was a cabin crew with the South African Airways. I used to do local flights. This is like my third trip to Nigeria on a holiday. The longest I have stayed was actually three months. Nigerian is beautiful and the people are great. They are so nice, even when they don’t know you. Immediately you tell them that you are a foreigner, they just go the extra mile to make you feel comfortable. So, Nigeria has been great.
So, what made you go into acting?
I just wanted to do something different. I was tired of being a cabin crew. It’s not as good as it looks. Doing the same thing over and over again was just tiring. I did the job for two and a half years; and in those years, I did the same thing every day. I was tired of saying, ‘Chicken or Fish?’ So, when the opportunity came for a change, I was very excited. I am happy about what I do now. However, it is not as if I wasn’t happy as a cabin crew. I was doing it to get my pay. But I love acting; it’s a passion and it makes me happy.
Before the opportunity came, did it ever cross your mind that you would someday be an actress?
I will be lying if I say so. It just happened within a twinkle of an eye. Actually, I’d gone to visit my friend and as she was walking me down, she saw some people auditioning. So, she was like, “Let’s go and see what they are doing.” And when I got there, they were like, “We’ve been waiting for you the whole day”. The next thing the producer said was: “Can you read lines?” and I asked if they were in English. And that was it. I got a role and the rest is history. Later, I got an agent. My agent goes out of his way to look for jobs for me. It’s been great.
What’s your experience in Nollywood, in terms of getting roles?
My very first experience was with Total Recall Production, a Nigerian company. They told us that the story was supposed to be shot in Nigeria by Nigerians. But because they just wanted to do something different, I played a lead role. I played alongside Ricardo Agbor. I played next to him as his wife. He was in South Africa then. We shot in September last year and the response, I think, was impressive. So, they came back again in February and we shot the 26 episodes.
Apart from all these, have you done any other one?
Yes, but they are South African, Nigerian movies, otherwise called Sollywood. We have Sollywood in South Africa. It’s a Nigerian and South African production. We have so many Nigerians in South Africa doing great works, production-wise.
Do you have any plans of relocating to Nigeria?
If the opportunity comes, I will definitely grab it with both hands. I don’t see South Africa only as home; rather, I see where I am welcomed as my home. I have been very welcomed in Nigeria and I see it as home-it is still Africa. I don’t see Nigerians; I don’t see South Africa, but I only see Africans. So, definitely it wouldn’t be a problem for me to cross over to Nigeria.
There is a plan in place already, as I have a manager now in Nigeria. He is really trying very hard to see how he can help me break into Nollywood. I have a manager in South Africa, but I feel that to be able to make a mark in Nigeria, I have to have a manager here. I am not familiar with the terrain, so I think it is better when you have someone who knows the industry. In Nigeria, I am managed by Segun Arinze’s Trophies and Classics Entertainment.
As an agency for actors, they manage the careers of established actors and those of up-and-coming talents in areas of perception management, talent grooming, scouting for jobs, portfolio creation, media and publicity, archives management, investment and financial guidance and brand endorsement opportunities.
What work have you done recently?
A couple of weeks ago, I came for the Tinsel audition. I actually arrived on the day of the audition and I was the last person they auditioned that day. I actually stayed for about a week; and within that week, we planned how I would come back for the AMAAs. I even forget sometimes that I am not home.
Do you think you may get a role in Tinsel?
I haven’t heard from them yet. But it’s looking good and promising. People said because I’m South African, I might have an edge. I think Tinsel has grown beyond being a Nigerian story. They are really going out to capture other countries and other cultures. So, being a South African, I think, will add more to that story. I am hoping and praying that they will give me a role. I just want to show Africa what stuff I am made of.
Could you tell me about your growing up?
I am South African by birth. I grew up in a town called New Castle. In South Africa, we speak a lot of Afrikaans. Afrikaans is like Pidgin. It was from Afrikaans school that I went into High school, just when South Africa gained independence. So, we were the first group that started going to a white school and it was hard. My high school life was hard. It was really very challenging. From there, I went to the university and studied Dermatology. I have never practised it because it’s not my first love. Even though I am trained for it, I don’t think it’s something I want to do.
I’m sure you know Nollywood is highly competitive. How ready are you?
Oh my God! I am ready because I’m gonna be me. I don’t want to be anybody. I don’t want to imitate anybody. I just want to be Thando. I just want to be known for who I am. While growing in the industry, I wanna pick the good in everybody and channel it in a way that will help me.
Who are some of the actors you admire in Nollywood?
I love Mercy Johnson. I’ve followed her career and have watched a lot of her movies. I find her very versatile. She can play any role. I mean she is amazing. Woman is just amazing. She’s talented. She goes out of her way to interpret her roles. She loves what she does. And I am really inspired by her. I also like Ini Edo. There is something about her that I just like. I can’t pinpoint what it is exactly she has that I like. I don’t know her in person, but when she plays her roles, I like the way she carries her roles.
What is the closest you have come to being sexually harassed in Nollywood?
You know when you are desperate, people see it. People see it when you show desperation. It’s not every audition that you want to go to and it is not every opportunity that comes that you need to take. You need to look at what you are getting yourself into and the kind of people you are going to be working with as an actor. You need to use wisdom in such places. I have never had an experience, where I am harassed by a director or he comes with a story. It depends on the way I present myself to them that will not even give them the room to think of crossing the line with me. So, I think it depends on how you present yourself.
But you cannot shy away from the fact that you are heavily endowed in certain places… (Laughs) A certain director actually said to me one day: “Can I ask you something after the audition?” And I said: ‘Fine!’ So, he said: “It’s outside of work.” And I said: ‘It’s okay’. Then, he said: “Does everyone in your country have the same hips like you? I hear all the girls in your country have your kind of figure.” I replied that not all the girls have hips like me. I understood where the whole conversation was going. Though I’m sure he meant it as a joke, it is the way you now answer the question that will tell him to push further or to stop. So, when people try to bring those issues out, how do you address them? You need to stand your ground as a woman so that they know that there is so more to you than your hips and all. In trying to stand my ground, I try to answer such a question without being rude and cheap.
But are you married?
I’m not married, but I have a son. I have a nine- year-old son. Mostly, in all my interviews, I do tell people that I am a mother. I don’t hide my son from people because I am a proud mum. I am not ashamed of the fact that I am a mum. I think I took responsibility for my action. I had my son when I was still in the university. Then, I had to drop out of the university for a year to bring up my son before I could go back to school. So, I never hide him from the media, even though I don’t expose him unnecessarily.
Do you still believe in love? Are you giving marriage a chance?
I do believe in love and I will definitely get married. In the near future, I want to get married, settle down and have more children. I have been heartbroken, just like every other person, but that does not mean I would now say all men are the same. I do believe that there are still some good ones out there. I even have one in Nigeria (laughs).
