South African actress and singer Mohau Mokoatle-Cele has clinched a juicy new role in the prestigious TV series, MTV Shuga – the sizzling sex and relationship drama developed by the MTV Staying Alive Foundation. We caught up with her to chat about her new role.
By: Phila Tyekana
Did you know of the show before you joined its cast?
To be honest, I knew nothing about the show. I felt the hype when I got to Nigeria; in fact, even some of my South African friends who knew it were so excited for me. One of my friends said to me: “Eh bra! Do you know that Teboho Mahlatsi and Angus Gibson directed the first one?”
What do you love most about the show?
Since I only started watching the show when I got to Nigeria, I can say I liked the fact that it is an edutainment. You still get to enjoy it and be entertained, but the message it carries is powerful. I also appreciate the choice of characters and set up – it’s very realistic. You can bump into the characters anytime of the day and anywhere. Even the issue it deals with, this is what is happening to most ordinary people. When watching it, you can very much see yourself or your issue being addressed and learn how to deal with it.
What’s your character, Bongi, about?
Bongi is a 16-year-old girl who has been in Lagos for about a year and has become a friend to Mary. She is smart, values her education and is on an upward trajectory. She wants to do well in life. She is talented musically. We don’t know much about her home life, but she is well grounded. She is also a very loyal and good friend to Mary.
What are you hoping the show will do for your career?
I really hope that this open doors for me; not only in the South African TV industry, but internationally. I have taken this opportunity as training ground though, since it is my first professional acting gig in the TV industry.
You shot the show in Lagos; how was that experience?
Lagos was hotttttt!!!! I have never been in such a humid place before. I used to think Limpopo is hot until I got to Nigeria. I was also telling my mom that I have never seen so many people in my life. I found out when I got there that Lagos’ population alone is close to that of the whole of South Africa. It’s so crowded, but the good thing is that the crowd is great. Nigerians are such hard-working individuals; there is just a fighting spirit atmosphere. They have vision, they have purpose, they have drive and mostly what I liked about them is how God-conscious they are. So, it was pretty easy for me to fit in.
What has the show taught you both in your personal life and in your career?
Have vision, have purpose and don’t stop pursing it until you get there. Even if it means walking barefoot every single day, do so. Do whatever you can to not only survive in this world but to reach your destiny.
