Best known for her role as Kaone in Isibaya, we get to know actress Koketso Mophuting (26) better.
By: Amanda Mtuli
Pictures: Fabian Young
1. Where are you from, and how would you describe yourself?
I am originally from a small town called Kanye, but grew up in Gaborone, Botswana. Growing up, I was happy and loud. I was always entertaining people; be it with dancing, cracking jokes or just being silly. But, I only did this at home. At school, I was reserved. Since then, nothing much has changed. I’m still reserved, but can get loud; it depends on how comfortable I feel around the people I’m with.
2. Why acting and how long have you been in the entertainment industry?
I’ve been in the entertainment industry since 2013, and I chose acting because I needed an outlet for my opinions and a way to set myself free. Before that, I was a student at Monash University Malaysia Campus studying towards a BCom in creative writing. Unfortunately I didn’t finish the degree. After a year, I came back to South Africa to study acting at AFDA.
3. When you first started on Isibaya, your character didn’t have a strong story line. What does the character’s growth mean to you?
It means that perhaps I am doing something right, and that the writers feel they should expand my story line after over a year of being there. But, there is no such thing as a small role. You have to take what you’re given when you start out, and not be defensive about your work. I’m happy that my character grew at a slow pace. I don’t know whether I would have coped with the pressure of being on a daily TV show had it happened quickly.
4. What challenges have you faced and how did you overcome them?
One of the biggest challenges I faced was breaking into the industry. I had to go to a lot of auditions before landing my first big break. But, because we experience challenges on a daily basis, it helps to have a therapist or sounding board, be it your family or friends. Having people to talk to, about whatever you are going through, helps.
5. Do you have an acting style?
With soapies, you get very little time to prepare unlike on a film where you can get three or six months to get into a character. When I started on Isibaya, I got my script two or three days before hand. So, I wouldn’t say that I have one way of doing things, but with time I will probably develop a style.
