Fun ride for ‘slay queen’ Sthandiwe
WHEN directors cast TV actress Sthandiwe Kgoroge in the role of a slay queen they took her out of her comfort zone.
Kgoroge, who has played many characters who do everything by the book, is having fun portraying Thandeka Hlongwane in the Sotho-Zulu soapie Lithapo.
As much as it was a different scene for Kgoroge, the experienced actress whose career began in 1997 when she joined Generations, had fun playing the crazy woman with different personalities. Speaking to Time Out this week, Kgoroge, who is married to famous thespian Tony Kgoroge, exudes warmth and friendliness.
She speaks freely and rapidly, with a purpose and passion. Kgoroge sounds excited when she talks about her role as Thandeka.
“This is the first time I portray someone who does not have morals. But I am happy that the directing team thought that I could go to such levels. There is that thing that if you play a certain character well everyone will cast you in that similar role.”
She defines Thandeka as someone who will do anything to get what she wants. Those who have been following the show closely will tell you that Thandeka is two-timing and is always on a mission to destroy others.
Born in Ohio in the US, Kgoroge grew up in different areas, including Maphumulo in KwaZulu-Natal.
Some of her notable characters included Lali Gcabashe in 90 Plein Street and Zoe Cele in Yizo Yizo.
With Thandeka’s character, directors of the show wanted to challenge the norms, highlighting the issue of an open marriage setup in a black community.
“People have said to me that the open marriage thing is not a South African thing. They are used to isithembu [polygamy] and the side-chick type of a situation but I can never say that this is what women in South Africa do.”
In everything that she has achieved, the seasoned actress never stops acknowledging the platform she was given by Mfundi Vundla.
Vundla, the executive producer and creator of Generations, threw the actress into the deep end when they made her portray twin sisters Zoleka and Zindzi Mudau. The two characters were complex - with Zoleka a vegetarian and understand
ing wife of Archie Moroka (played by Sello Maake ka Ncube) while Zindzi was a bit wild and enjoyed her alcohol and meat.
“They must have seen something in me to say I can play those two roles. The first year I played one role and took a break to shoot Yizo Yizo. When I came back I was told that I will play Zoleka’s twin sister. I said to them bring it on. I did not know that I could play two roles at the same time and it really trained me. I was a bit scared and I remember what they always tell you at university, to always be ready for such challenges.”
Kgoroge would love to tell stories that represent black people in a good light.
“I believe that we need to tell stories about the powerful women of this country who participated in the Struggle,” she says. - Sowetan.