Actor Lerato Mokoka has returned to television, starring as Naledi Khoza in the Mzansi Magic drama series Isibhamu. Following a two-year hiatus from screen acting, Mokoka, formerly known for her role as Tshiamo on Gomora, shifted her professional focus toward screenwriting and creative development. According to an interview with Sowetan, the transition back to performance required significant preparation, including character research and navigating the uncertainty of the freelance acting market.
How the transition from screenwriting back to acting occurred
Mokoka spent the last two years establishing herself behind the camera, working on projects such as Obstruction and Soft Life. The shift to writing was a deliberate career move to strengthen her industry expertise. However, by last year, she decided to return to auditions. Mokoka told Sowetan that she views acting as a “muscle” that requires constant maintenance. The process of returning to the screen was not immediate; she auditioned for multiple roles before securing the part of Naledi in Isibhamu.
Why the role of Naledi Khoza presented a new challenge
The character of Naledi Khoza in Isibhamu marks a departure from Mokoka’s previous television work. Naledi is a nurse managing a clinic in a small community, a role that forced Mokoka to conduct specific research to ensure authenticity. She consulted with a family friend who works as a nurse to better understand the emotional and technical responsibilities of the profession. According to Mokoka, the series places this character in the middle of a violent, high-stakes environment, requiring a demanding performance that she describes as being “thrown into the deep end.”
How the industry influences actor growth
The transition from a long-running show like Gomora to independent projects highlighted the structural differences in the South African television industry. While Gomora provided a predictable schedule for five years, freelance work introduces a level of uncertainty that Mokoka describes as “scary but necessary for growth.” This mirrors a broader trend in the entertainment sector where actors are increasingly diversifying their skill sets by moving between acting, writing, and production roles to maintain career longevity.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is Lerato Mokoka’s new show? She plays Naledi Khoza in the eight-part Mzansi Magic drama series Isibhamu.
- Did Lerato Mokoka stop acting? No, she took a two-year break to focus on screenwriting and creative development before returning to auditions last year.
- What projects did she work on during her break? She worked on productions including Obstruction and Soft Life, and wrote and starred in her own short film.
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