Tebogo Mokwena – east actress on the rise
“My dream is to see Boikano Theatre Ensemble being one of the top film and theatre companies in Africa and that’s a dream I am willing to live for.”
Mamelodi born actress, Tebogo Mokwena is hoping to make her late father proud by becoming a top international film star.
Mokwena (29) says her late father, William Lesinga, was a film enthusiast and would have liked to see his daughter become a film star.
“He had a bioscope at home. He used to play films for the community and his home was like a cinema,” said Mokwena.
She said her father played an influential role in shaping her career as an actress.
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“I could say he groomed me. His love for films and the art got me so much inspired. I started out with other kids dancing on Kideo, a child’s programme that used to play on SABC Simunye We are One,” she said.
She said the acting bug bit her when she was still in primary school.
“I wrote my first script when I was in grade 7 for an oral presentation, but it was when I was in high school that I got inspired by watching plays performed by Sibonisile drama players founded by Thee Themba ka Nyathi,” she said.
Mokwena said when she was studying at PRIDA, she started attending TV and film auditions.
“Then I eventually landed a featured extras role in Rhythm City. I also went for an audition for a role in a series titled Streets of Mangaung and I was casted (sic),” she said.
“From there I never stopped going for auditions. I remember one day I went for a shoot for a small role and the lady who was supposed to play a supporting lead role was late then the director asked me if I could play I said yes … from there it was recommendations after recommendations.”
She said one actress she met on set called her and said that Swart Productions was looking for someone to play a supporting role in their upcoming Mzansi Magic film.
“That was the beginning of a good working relationship with the director who was directing the film. He is the owner and director of Phefeni Entertainment, I shot three Mzansi Magic films with Media Africa Studios and the two films are currently playing on TV”.
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She said besides TV and films, she was also doing theatre.
“I work with Boikano Theatre Ensemble. We are doing school set works, industrial theatre and main stream theatre all over the country and across the boarders,” she said.
“I’m also a musician groomed by Elway Masango, makeup and special effect artist.”
Mokwena said her dream was to see herself working behind the scenes producing and directing.
“Good things come to those who work hard,” she said.
“My dream is to see Boikano Theatre Ensemble being one of the top film and theatre companies in Africa and that’s a dream I am willing to live for.”
Her message to people who want to pursue their dreams in music, theatre, TV and films or in the arts in general- is that “you need to have discipline, determination, self-respect, respect for the craft and most of all education, education, education!”
Mokwena was born and raised in Mamelodi. She attended Morakoma Primary school and matriculated at J. Kekana High School.
After matric, she studied performing arts at PRIDA (Paul Rapetsoa Institution of Dramatic Arts) in Yeoville.
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