Drama graduates across South Africa often have to do other jobs like waitressing and bartending while waiting for that big break. Drama graduate, Mathabo Mothibe, decided on a different approach after graduating with a Bachelor of Technology in Drama at the revered drama university, Tshwane University of Technology in 2015.
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She focused on industrial theatre doing a roadshow for the Department of Public Works on Occupational Health and Safety, a programme for the Department of Arts and Culture for young kids in Mamelodi while auditioning for various roles including that of Khensani on Giyani Land of Blood. She further focused on behind the scenes work as a producer and writer of short films.
Mathabo Mothibe thought as with other auditions she did prior to Giyani Land of Blood that if it is meant to be hers, it will be. Off she went on with her life doing more and more of industrial theatre. Though it was a trying time, her overall attitude towards life helped her soldier through. Doubts occupied her mind at times so did the idea of just focusing on something else other than acting.
She eventually got a call that her audition and callbacks for Khensani were super great, and she got the role. As happy as she was, Mathabo also understood the seriousness of the role. First, this was to be her first lead and on television not in the theatre, her home ground. On top on her industrial theatre work, she performed in plays such as Jordan, Mother and Child, Pillow talk, Nuptials, the suitcase, just to name a few. Khensani is not a city girl on Giyani Land of Blood but Mathabo is having been born in Alexandra and raised in Leondale by a proud XiTsonga speaking mother and Sesotho speaking father. Unfortunately, her dear father passed away in 2010 from Diabetes Type 1 after being amputated in 2008. This affected her state of mind and approach to her lifestyle – from food choices to daily activities.
Giyani Land of Blood premiered on the 1st of April this year at 21h30 on SABC 2 with Mathabo’s character Khensani moving to a fictional village in Giyani named Risinga. There Khensani falls in love with Musa played by fellow Tshwane University of Technology graduate Wiseman Zitha. Together they make the two characters love storyline so believable and relatable.
As a first-time television actor, it was quite a challenging role at first, however, with time it became a lot easier. Acting on television is different from a theatre stage and a conference room, both of which were my playgrounds before Giyani Land of Blood. I had to adapt very fast, first by taking direction from the directors, secondly by watching other actors on set. Khensani’s storyline has its own arch which makes for an interesting portrayal on my part – Mathabo Mothibe.
Mathabo Mothibe will be on our television screens and stages for a long time to come given her dedication to the craft. She speaks over three languages including XiTsonga which she is known for on Giyani Land of Blood airing Monday to Wednesday at 21h30 on SABC 2.
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