A new dawn for Mbali

If  walking through the door first is not important, then being able to cry without shame, share intimate details about your personal life with friends or spend hours choosing an outfit and getting away with it might be.

Women like to indulge and no one understands this better than Mbali Enhle Mlotshwa. The wife of popular DJ and musician Black Coffee, Mlotshwa is also known for her role as Lindi in the new leading Mzansi Magic series Rockville, as well as being the face of Dawn cosmetic lotions.

Since she spends most of her time in the public eye, looking good is essential, and Mlotshwa shines inside and out. Raised in Soweto by her great grandmother, in a house full of women, she learnt the value of loving who you are and being strong in your own self and that your character defines your actions and the sky is not the limit to your dreams. One can achieve anything they set their mind to.

Her upbringing was an amalgamation of the pantsula urban lifestyle together with the sophisticated suburban life of Model C schools.

“Entertainment helped to bridge the gap between these two different worlds,” she said, “I fell in love with performance art at an early age. I also watched Mbongeni Ngema’s Sarafina, which is what really hooked me on performing.

“The musical invoked emotions within me that at the age of six no little girl should feel. It was well directed, the choreography was unlike anything I’d ever seen or have seen since and the cinematography was incredible. From that day on I no longer aspired to be a doctor, baker or ballerina – I aspired to be an actress, dancer and musician, and that fire kept burning till this very day.”

Another desire was the call of motherhood. Now mom to three-year old Anesu, Mlotshwa said that hearing her son call her “mommy” is one of the greatest pleasures in life.

“Spending time with my boy brings me so much joy,” she says.

“He taught me how to love selflessly and holistically. He also taught me a lot about myself and the kind of person I want to be. Before having my son I was very impatient, but now I am more patient and content.”

When asked what she does to destress from her busy lifestyle, Mlotshwa admits, “I’m still trying to figure that out, but for now quality time with my girlfriends and milk tart does the trick. Remind yourself every day that you are an amazing person – it’s a great pick-me-up!”