Award-winning actress Linda Mtoba sat down with BONA to discuss her profound love for acting and her current role on the BET series Queendom.
Linda made her debut on our screens in 2016 with her first role in the Mzansi Magic series Isibaya. She later joined the award-winning telenovela The River where she became a brand ambassador for brands such as Vaseline, Edgars, Bernini and Samsung and even owns a jewellery line.
Her current role as Ntandokayise tells the story of a young woman who is set to uncover a big secret kept by her mother and navigate life not knowing that she is part of the royal family. Having acted most of her life Linda described her acting journey as an enchanting one as it came naturally to her with each role she portrayed.
She says, “From a young age, I found myself drawn to the magic of storytelling, captivated by the power of embodying different characters and exploring their worlds. With each role I took on, I discovered new facets of myself, delving deeper into the artistry that is acting. So, in a way, you could say that acting chose me just as much as I chose it.
Speaking to BONA about her character Ntandokayise in the drama series, Linda said that her character was one to not tiptoe around issues that needed to be addressed, whether it was in her community or her wanting to find out the truth from her mother about her paternal family.
“What’s truly remarkable about her is that she embodies the spirit of resilience. She’s not afraid to pick up that pebble and challenge the giants, no matter how daunting the task may seem. In doing so, she becomes a symbol of hope and inspiration for others who might feel powerless in the face of adversity.”
Speaking on how she balances her character with her perspective, she says, “Balancing authenticity with my unique perspective in portraying my character is truly a delicate dance, one that I approach with reverence and dedication. You see, as an actress, I often liken myself to a canvas—a blank slate awaiting the brushstrokes of directors, producers, and storytellers who add their hues to the narrative. But within that collaboration lies a beautiful synergy where my essence, my perspective, becomes intertwined with the character I bring to life.”
Ntandokayise, a character in the series, grows through travel and discovery. The storytelling highlights the richness of character development by tackling socio-economic issues and presenting viewers with comparable experiences, emphasising the flexibility of the character’s persona.
“I hope that viewers, especially young women and women in general, will see themselves reflected in my character’s journey. I hope they’ll find solace in knowing that it’s okay to be complex, to have doubts and fears, but also to embrace the strength and resilience within themselves. Above all, I hope they’ll be inspired to face life’s challenges head-on, just as my character does, with courage, grace, and a fierce determination to carve out their path in the world, says Linda.
Linda’s advice to young actors is to always work hard and persevere from all challenges they might face as being in the acting industry isn’t always what you see on TV it entails early mornings, late nights, long days and most of all. learning to deal with online hate comments while trying to chase your dreams.
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