We’ve seen her in local soapies such as Rhythm City and Generations. Now Behind the scenes, Mmabatho Montsho is shining better than before.
Your favourite TV show is…
Play Your Part, (laughs) and no it’s not because I used to be the show’s presenter but rather love what the show is about, which is about South African’s making it their point to change the life of others. I am so fortunate to have spoken and spent time with those very people.
Which episode is your most memorable?
It was when we covered a lady called Khanyiswa Zangqa from Cape Town. She does feeding schemes for primary schools in Phillipe Township, Cape Town. While also taking those kids on tours to Table Mountain and teaching them about the natural world. Her own mother was a cleaner at the primary school she went to and she’d get teased by the other kids about that. What I admire most is that she took her humble beginnings and her mother’s work as something not to be embarrassed about but rather come out of it as a community hero.
What major lessons have you learnt from Play Your Part?
Excuses are our biggest challenge as people. On the show I met people from the humblest of backgrounds with no financial resources in their lives, but have been able to give back so much to their communities.
Do you think African entertainment will ever make it as big and respected as in America?
Yes it will, even bigger if given the chance. Africans are born entertainers, the business side and market talent needs to be developed a bit more to make it a success.
How do you feel about American actors playing African icons in movies?
That takes away every potential to develop African stars. Yes, those American stars may be top achievers but look at movies like Sarafina where Whoopi Goldberg was just a supporting actress, District 9 and Tsotsi, they all had global success without American actors taking over a South African story.
With the presenting you’ve been doing, have you taken a break from acting?
No, I’ve just been focused on being a director and producer rather than being in front of the camera. In 2010 I went to study filmmaking at New York Film Academy at Universal Studios in Los Angeles, USA, returning to SA in 2011. This year I’ve taken up directing and before the end of the year you’ll see my work.
