Much may be said about actor Motlatsi Mafatshe, but one characteristic that stands out is his ability to portray the characters for which he is best known.
Mafatshe believed film and television were his destiny from the moment he developed his personality as a young youngster.
“When my granny bought me a new TV, I knew that I wanted to be in that box. Having gone to school to study filming and acting, I knew it was not by chance that I am where I am today. Being in the television industry entails having perseverance and courage to make it, which I believe I’ve worked hard at,” the well-known actor says.
With a desire to appear on television, Mafatshe decided to pursue a degree and honors in film producing and musical performance, which he says has helped him stay relevant in the performing line of work.
“When I completed my matric, I went to tertiary to study film and arts in 2001. I then graduated in 2006. From there I started working. I can safely say I have been so fortunate to have been working ever since I finished school. I was able to build my brand and name all these years, which is quite difficult for actors to do these days,” he explains.
The Soweto-born actor credits his ability to stay focused on his goals as a growing actor to his mother’s encouragement and a strong family structure. “My mother was a guidance teacher, so it kind of makes no sense not to make it in life if your mother was the one who helped students identify what they wanted to do in life,” he said.
While he has come a long way as an actor, the 40-year-old recalls his first attempt at acting, which happened when he was directing one of his first films.
“I remember being dissatisfied with one of the actor’s performances when I was helping out a friend with directing a film. I then decided to take matters into my own hands and act out that role, which resulted in me being in the film. A lot of people thought I was so dope, even though I didn’t think that way at the time because I hadn’t studied acting.
“But by the time I went to auditions my confidence was quite clear. I wasn’t really nervous because I knew I had something special even though a lot of big names in the industry thought I was just in over my head.”
From one audition to the other, Mafatshe started strategising and structuring his inclusion in the industry – this after he spent his last R600 travelling from Limpopo to try out his luck for a role on SABC3’s Isidingo, only to be told the production just needed extras at the time.
“The director of the show asked me whether I knew how to act and because of me being angry on that day, the director somehow liked my attitude because I was not fazed by anything or anyone.
“After I did my monologue, the director liked me. He thought I was funny, then I got the role of Casper on When We Were Black. From there I learnt a lot about acting.
“Five years later, I received a call from my manager that Isidingo was looking for new characters. I told her to tell them to stop holding auditions because the person they were looking for was me. I went wearing my jacket and tie, and I told myself not to sound like the eloquent guy that speaks perfect English, and that worked in my favour because I got the role.”
He nailed the audition, which led to him bringing extra flair and energy to the soapie. He went on to portray the role of Sechaba Moloi for nine years.
Mafatshe is grateful to have worked alongside industry greats such as the legendary Darlington Michaels, who played the role of the infamous Georgie “Papa G” Zamdela, and Don Mlangeni-Nawa, who played Zeb Matabane.
