South African actress, Nokuthula Mabika, is known for her role as Thobile, on SABC1’s drama series, Uzalo.
But her journey to the silver screen wasn’t an easy one as her strict father would not allow her move to Joburg, even after graduating with a drama degree from the University of Zululand. She said:
“I had always wanted to move to Joburg for better opportunities but my father was against the idea.
My father told me I needed to find a job first before I could relocate. I believed I needed to be there to be able to get work in the industry.”
Nokuthula taking the bull by the horn at any cost, diplomatically defied her father by applying to study at Wits University, in 2013.
“My father allowed me to go and when I got here I told him the truth. He was mad at me but I knew he would come around.
“I started doing theatre productions and took gigs as a backup singer.
Life in Joburg for her wasn’t so easy as she would go for weeks without jobs and lacked money to attend auditions. The fear of being taking as an extra, made her ignore agencies and went straight for open auditions with the belief that they would recognize her talent.
Nokuthula, 29, got her break in 2014, when she auditioned for Uzalo during an open audition at the Market Theatre in Joburg. She said:
“I remember that day very well. I only had enough money to attend the auditions and nothing else. I was there at 8am and only got to audition at 7 at night. I nearly gave up.”
She got the part and with Uzalo being shot in Durban, she moved back home.
https://youtu.be/Mx58QNwJSvU
