Local actress forms casting agency

The newly established PBA Agency aims to groom local talent. Mashele grew up inspired by Ferguson and wanted to follow in her footsteps.

It was not until she joined The Queen cast as Constable Nomzaza that she got the chance to pour her heart out to her idol. “I think that if we have more casting agencies locally, there are many things that could change in the acting industry,” Mashele pointed out. “Mpumalanga has a great deal of talent,” she revealed.

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Ferguson assisted her with setting up the casting agency from the first step to the last. The legendary actress gave the PBA Agency an opportunity to cast extras for Ferguson Films’ various productions.

“The bug bit me when I was still young and I knew that it was something I wanted to do with my life.

” After matriculating from Sitintile Secondary School, Mashele, also known as Angel, cemented her ambition of becoming an actress when she enrolled for a media course at Damelin College.

“Even though I grew up acting at school and in church, I wanted to have something tangible in pursuit of my dreams, hence I did the media course.”

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With the casting agency based in her home town, Lekazi, the spirited Mashele hopes that many local talent will be unearthed, honed and given the right direction.

“Doing lingerie modelling for Edgars while working as a bar lady in Jozi was my first experience in the entertainment industry. That patience surpasses all,” she said.

Mahele’s first serious gig was when she was offered a six-month contract to co-present SABC 1’s Daily Thetha youth show.

“It is an exciting audience-driven, educational, TV show that seeks to inspire the youth of Mzansi. There I was presented with the live, interactive show and I had to adapt quickly and give the audience what they were hungry for.”

Her last TV appearance before the lockdown forced her to return home, was on Mzansi Magic’s telenovela, The Queen. Some will also remember the bubbly Mashele on Rhythm City, Lockdown, Isidingo and Binnelanders. She was also cast as an extra on Generations before it was dissolved and resurfaced as the Generations – The Legacy.

The vivacious Mashele said the Covid-19 lockdown hindered many of the plans she had for this year, but once the industry is fully functional, she will audition day and night.

“Since I have returned home, my work has revolved around helping schoolchildren with maths, biology and geography. I also volunteered with the distribution of food parcels when lockdown was at its peak.

“Getting the right agency is not that easy because many of them are fly-by-nights or scams. It’s extremely challenging and that’s when patience is needed. I don’t lose hope. I always keep my head high. That’s the advice I want to give aspiring actors,” she said.

Mashele, who also presents and deejays on local radio stations, is advocating for the rights of women and children.

“Locally, we have a group of young women that I meet with and discuss gender-based violence and other related issues,” she said.