Masasa floats to the top

26 February 2015 - 02:41 By Andile Ndlovu
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Former Scandal! actress Masasa Mbangeni.
Former Scandal! actress Masasa Mbangeni.
Image: Supplied

Masasa Mbangeni, of Scandal!, and Kgomotso Christopher, of Isidingo, are the top actresses in the country right now.

They have both been nominated in the best actress in a lead role (soapie) category at the SA Film and Television Awards - a week after being nominated in the outstanding lead actress category by the Royalty Soapie Awards.

It has been about five years since the Port Elizabeth-born Mbangeni joined e.tv's Scandal! as small-time graphic designer Thembeka Shezi. Having started out as a featured extra, she is now at the top of the food chain.

Mbangeni reflected on her long journey to the top, saying: "I think I really surprised the [show's producers]. I don't think they had me in mind, honestly.

"It's about perseverance and a reminder that there is enough for everyone in this [industry]. This is a lesson in humility and a reminder that taking this route was absolutely the route that needed to be taken.

"It's beautiful to realise that the work you're doing is not happening in a vacuum. In the past year that's how I felt. I felt like no one was seeing my work, maybe because I'm not light-skinned enough or because I don't have big boobs, and I'm not in everything.

"So I was panicking, thinking maybe I need to focus on another career. These nominations are a beautiful affirmation from God and the universe that I'm on the right track. I couldn't image myself doing anything else."

The one thing that kept her going? Famed US acting teacher and director Lee Strasberg's book, A Dream of Passion.

Christopher was unavailable for comment.

The Royalty Soapie Awards are on March 28 at Durban's ICC; the Saftas will take place at Gallagher Estate, Midrand, on March 20and 22.

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