Page 3 - The EDGE August 2024

RISING STARS 3
AlumnA Lands Role in Telenovela
Nsikelelo Mthiyane, a DUT Bachelor of Education in Languages graduate is a member of the cast of the much- loved telenovela, Sibongile and the Dlaminis Season 2 which will air on Mzansiwethu, DSTV channel 163.
Her passion for acting is rooted in her love of storytelling and broadcasting.While this will be her first professional acting role, she has served
as a sports presenter on Durban Youth Radio. She said that determination, passion and hard work earned her the role.
“On my graduation day, I received a call from production asking me to come and present another monologue. I prepared it and when I got to the office, they told me I already had the role and the piece they asked me to present was part of my preparations for it.To my surprise, I was auditioning for the character of Sibongile because the women who played this part had left the show. I thought I was auditioning for Mandisa,” said Mthiyane.
She thanked her family and friends for their unwavering support, adding that her family is very proud of her.
“They were all excited, but I feel like they’re still in disbelief. They will only start believing once they see me on TV. Not because they do not believe in me, but because they have seen me attending auditions for years and sometimes I’d come back hopeful telling them that ‘this one is promising’, only to find that I didn’t get it. I share that feeling because, to be honest, it hasn’t really sunk in,” she said.
Speaking of some of the challenges she has faced as a young actress, she said that a show she was featured in was cancelled due to financial problems. However, she took comfort in her love for storytelling and knew that she would get another opportunity.
Originally from Mtubatuba in north-eastern KwaZulu- Natal, Mthiyane hopes to inspire other young women, especially in rural areas to pursue their dreams relentlessly and embrace opportunities for growth and learning.
Pictured: Nsikelelo Mthiyane Patience Makhaye