Alpha woman from boardroom to bedroom
Aside from making her return to TV as a PowerBall presenter, Katlego Danke is shaking up things in ‘Isidingo’ with her powerhouse character, writes Debashine Thangevelo
THE LAST time Katlego Danke (pictured) was seen in an acting role on TV was on SABC1’s Generations. Sadly, while heavily pregnant at the time, she was among the actors unceremoniously axed from the soap.
But there is life after Generations. We have seen many of those seasoned actors go on to work in other successful homegrown projects across the free-to-air and pay-TV channels.
Best known for playing the role of trophy wife Dineo Mashaba, she has been keeping busy since exiting Generations. Having acclimated to motherhood, she returned to TV as a PowerBall presenter. She has also been planting her footprints in the movie sector.
In a chat with Tonight, she says: “The past two years have been a bit busy with the baby. In the mix of all of that, I was the brand ambassador for Philips AVENT and Vodacom as well. I have also done a few movies. Some were pilots to help secure the funding. At the moment, I’m shooting Farewell Ella Bella. It’s a local movie. I have also filmed a Nollywood film, All About Love, which will release in South Africa.”
In the first movie, she plays a jazz lounge owner, who is yearning for love. She is hoping a commitment-phobic jazz artist will give her that. Danke reveals: “It’s lovely playing her. The story gives such a realistic view on life.”
Her other movie is thematically similar to One Day starring Anne Hathaway. It tells the story of two best friends who weather all the romantic turmoils in life, only to eventually realise they are in love and should be together.
The actress adds: “That rom-com story never runs dry.”
As for returning to the soap medium, she offers: “Isidingo is a well-oiled machine. It’s been going for years and years. You are dealing with consummate professionals and veterans in their field.”
Danke got wind of Isidingo’s search for Kgothalo Mokoena via her agent.”
On the brief she received, she says: “They told me she was pretty hard-nosed. One of those no-nonsense women. She knows where she is going. And she wears the pants, irrespective of whether she is in the boardroom or bedroom. She doesn’t shy away from any challenge.”
That said, it is clear that she is a formidable businesswoman.
Danke offers: “Oh yeah, she is a powerhouse. She owns her own business in mining, which is a male-dominated industry. She is ballsy. I wish we had more such women in society.”
By the way, she is introduced as Thapelo “Tyson” Mokoena’s (played by the inimitable Shona Ferguson) wife.
She adds: “Their relationship is a back-and-forth power struggle. Each one recognises the other’s strengths. But, at the same time, they are like: ‘I’m not going away either’. There’s also an acceptance and appreciation of the other.”
Gees, talk about complicated!
Naturally, Kgothalo’s arrival ruffles a few feathers in the business world.
Danke hints: “People recognise she isn’t some withering wallflower. Barker recognises that energy immediately as it is essentially what’s in him, too.”
Interestingly, this is the first time Danke is working with Ferguson.
She reveals: “I have not worked with Shona before. But he is very easy to work with. He has already found his rhythm within the Isidingo cycle. Aside from being wonderful to work with and a refreshing actor, he’s nothing like the characters I have seen him play.”
While she wears an impenetrable shell, there is a nurturing side that surfaces as viewers get to learn more about her.
Danke adds: “Fans are going to love this character. I have had so much fun creating her.”
Just to whet your appetite… she finds herself entangled in a love triangle further in the storyline. Jaws are going to drop when you learn whom this affair is with.