Aspiring thespian making inroads in SA

Mohale Media Toppers Acting Agency Lesotho‘s 2023 trainee, Kananelo Makhele, has been casted in South African television productions Skeem Saam , Generations: The Legacy, Smoke and Mirrors and Shaka Illembe, albeit in relatively obscure roles.

The 19-year-old young lass was born and raised in Maseru, Moshoeshoe 2. She is a proud holder of a certificate in arts, radio, and presenting.

She says her passion was ignited during her high school years, where she discovered her love for acting.

After completing her high school in 2022 at the age of 17, she decided to pursue a career in the media industry, where she has been working to hone her skills and follow her dreams.

Furthermore, she joined Mohale Media and Toppers Acting Agency in 2022, where she took a one-year performing arts programme which included acting for TV and theatre, TV presenting, radio presenting, poetry and script writing. This is where she regained her confidence of acting.

“In mid-April this year, I travelled to Johannesburg, South Africa, to audition for the production Shaka Illembe. While there, I seized the opportunity to audition for extra roles in other television series, including Skeem Saam, Generations, and Smoke and Mirrors, where I was fortunate enough to be selected.

“Additionally, I embarked on radio practical training, during which I exceeded my own expectations by showcasing exceptional proficiency in my official language. This remarkable achievement ultimately earned me the prestigious role of a Dream voice radio presenter in South Africa,” Makhele said.

She also shared her experience of participating in the IPOP Los Angeles auditions that were held in Sandton. Among a competitive pool of 100 participants, she distinguished herself by securing a spot in the top 10.

As part of this elite group, Makhele was granted the incredible opportunity to travel to Los Angeles to audition on the international stage.

However, despite her hard work and success, she was unable to pursue this once in a lifetime opportunity due to financial constraints, which unfortunately prevented her from making the journey.

“This opportunity provided me with valuable learning experiences and the chance to work alongside industry legends. My advice to Basotho is to ignore those who discourage them and to embrace opportunities, no matter how small. They should focus on building their personal brand and reputation before prioritising financial gain,” Makhele noted.