The perfect fit
It was the right time and right place for Michelle Mosalakae, whose healer character Zakithi was literally written for her.
Isibaya Weekdays Mzansi Magic (*161) 20:30
It’s just under a year since Isibaya (2013- current) audiences met shy and submissive “spiritual guide” Zakithi, but actress Michelle Mosalakae says that it’s been “one of the best years of my life”. And not just because she found work straight out of varsity, but because she’s been welcomed into an established cast and team at Isibaya. “It feels like we are one big family. We work and play together and we have a lot of fun doing it. It’s lovely!” beams Michelle.
You’re not joking that your character was made for you. [Laughs] Not at all. I went for a general audition, just to get onto the production company’s books. They didn’t have a role at the time but they called me a week later to say, “We like you so much that if you think you are ready, we will create you a character on Isibaya.” Come on – what actor is going to turn that offer down? And you were new to the industry too. This is my first “real” acting job. I graduated from Rhodes University in Grahamstown with my degree in directing and production because that’s where I’m ultimately going, but to get there you have to be in front of the camera and have that understanding of what actors need from the people behind the cameras. I love acting and to join a team like this and on a show like Isibaya, it’s something you don’t even dare dream about. How do you get into character, because you’re really bubbly as Michelle but Zakithi isn’t? Zakithi is very subdued – that is how she was raised by the sangomas. She is there to help people in and around eBhubesini but she keeps to herself a lot. I have to tone it down from my usual self. [Laughs] It’s all about the respect I think that Zakithi has for the village elders and people “above” her and she doesn’t want to anger anyone. She is humble and not out to cause trouble. And in terms of where you’d like to see her storylines go in 2018? Well a love interest would be nice! I think that she would like to feel more part of the village. I think that in some sense, she sees herself still as very much an outcast and it would be nice to see how she handles being part of the community. Well, more so than she has. She’s already a step closer thanks to a wardrobe change… But that’s like her personality: subdued. Zakithi has done away almost with all the “old fuddy- duddy” clothes and I like her “new” look. It’s a lot more fashionable and it’s really comfortable to wear while filming, which makes a huge difference. [Laughs] And you’re obviously very careful being in the sun during filming? Extremely! I don’t go outside without a strong SPF-factor sunblock and I carry my umbrella everywhere on set. You feel very prim and proper with an umbrella, swanning around, but it’s a lot more for me than “just shade”. A lot of fans probably wouldn’t recognise you because your day-to-day look is so different from your character. Zakithi has a very specific look that works well. It is a complete head-to-toe appearance and I think that it really adds to who she is and what she is. She stands out like a sore thumb but at the same time, she is part of the community and it’s the perfect balance.