The realisation of a dream

TIISETSO THOKA: ISITHEMBISO HAS HELPED TO OPEN MANY DOORS FOR HIM IN THE INDUSTRY

‘It’s not easy to believe in yourself on the dusty streets of Ga-Mphahlele.’

If the acting industry was human and could speak, it would surely express its gratitude to Tiisetso Thoka for being part of it. Most say about the Limpopo-born actor that he is a real talent.

He’s been in the industry since his YoTV days, but only started raising eyebrows with his role in Mzansi Magic’s Isithembiso as Ali, the boxer.

It seems like yesterday that the excitement started on social media about his flawless and effortless acting.

He has moved from Isithembiso to The Herd and now Imposter season 2. him to do well in life, hence his dad was upset with him for quitting his law job for acting and didn’t speak to him for about six months.

“This was rough on me, plus I didn’t have any money and needed to pay rent, but I was adamant about following my dreams. Things finally started to pick up, though.”

The actor says that before Isithembiso the public hardly took notice of him despite previously being on YoTV and e.tv’s Gold Diggers.

He points out that getting a call to audition for Isithembiso gave him a real leg up in his career.

“I went for so many call backs for this Ali role, and had days where I waited for a call back and got none, but then they finally gave me the role and told me that I will die in episode seven.”

This was disheartening after the many callbacks he got, but he nonetheless decided to sign the contract.

With the start of the series, Thoka says fans loved his effortless acting skills so much that his role was among the favourites for fans of Isithembiso, and production decided to keep the role alive until episode 52.

The producers then decided to give him a longterm contract with the show. “Isithembiso really opened major doors for me in the acting industry.

“Since being a part of it, I haven’t had to audition for a role. All I do is get calls about roles that would fit me.” afforded him a chance to learn different languages and cultures, pointing out that being from Limpopo he grew up around Venda and Tsonga speaking people, making the languages a part of who he is.

However, growing up in Limpopo, in the village of Ga-Mphahlele, was not easy.

“It’s not easy to dream in the dusty streets of Ga-Mphahlele. My friends back home would find it funny that I wanted to be like the likes of Rapulane Seiphemo and Connie Ferguson.

“They told me my dreams were just far-fetched, so it was kind of

hard to believe in them.”