Motswana actress debuts in Muvhango
Ayoung Motswana actress, Angela Atlang who was told by people that her career has no future in Botswana, has made her debut in SABC 2’s popular drama series, Muvhango.
Muvhango announced Atang’s addition, a Bachelor of Theatre Arts graduate from the University of Botswana earlier this week with the actress finally making her debut on Tuesday night.
The Botswana-born actress plays the role of Itseng Motsamai, James Motsamai’s estranged sister, a beautiful, seductive but hard and gritty woman who plies her trade as a strip dancer.
The 26-year-old actress has welcomed the challenge of playing the complex character’s role as she says it will help her development and journey in the performance arts space.
Atlang told SA radio station, Motsweding FM that people told her that there is no future for acting in Botswana because there are no jobs available for that line of work.
“I listened to those people and ended up studying accounting but later I realised after a semester that accounting was not my calling.
For a person who was advised that the course I was studying had no future, it is only by the grace of God for me to find myself as a part of this beautiful production,” she explained. Looking back, Atlang revealed that she comes a long way with acting and started dong it as a 10-year-old during in her primary school days. “By then I became interested in joining the drama club but I didn’t go anywhere until in junior school where my drama club director recognised my talent. After graduating at high school I went to the University of Botswana where I studied for a Bachelor of Theatre Arts”.
Atlang further disclosed that she came across an advert for the Muvhango role auditions in Botswana around the same time she graduated.
After landing the role, Atlang said she officially relocated to South Africa in May this year but was there earlier in April for a week to start on her character.
Atlang also said she grew up in Maun with a lot of freedom since her parents let her do what she wanted to do. She added that she is a God fearing Christian who has managed to uphold the values she learnt from her parents.
She said even though she plays a stripper role in Muvhango, her character is going to grow and change. She promised a good season.
“I believe that my work ethic will endear me to the viewers. They need to constantly see me grow. I should not stay stagnant and I believe that will endear me to the viewers,” she further indicated.
She is, however nervous as she now joins a stellar group of actresses who have been lauded for both looks and performance. She knows that the challenge is a tough one. But she admits it has been an absolute pleasure and a privilege to join the Muvhango family.
“I am excited to work with the incredibly creative and generous cast and crew. It’s all been beyond anything I could have imagined. The love is real. I have waited too long for this day.
This will shock a lot of people back home as I have kept this a closely guarded secret. “Muvhango’s series producer, Herbert Hadebe said over the short space of time, Atlang has proved herself more than capable of rising to the occasion. He says introducing new talent in the industry is part of the production’s vision.