A force of nature
Acting newcomer Larona Moagi is keeping viewers on the edge of their seats as feisty truth-searching Itumeleng.
The River Weekdays 1Magic (*103) 20:00
Strong-willed Itumeleng (Larona Moagi) wasn’t given the chance to mourn her miner father Thato (Don Mlangeni) when he was found murdered in late January 2018. Instead, the youngster focused her energy on helping her stay-at-home mother Malefu (Moshidi Motshegwa) put food on the table while searching for evidence of her dad’s killer Lindiwe (Sindi Dlathu) second. “Life has been a rollercoaster for Itumeleng,” explains Larona, who is tackling her very first TV acting role on The River. “Itumeleng even risked her job at the mine to get her boss Lindiwe arrested in early March.” The cops didn’t have enough evidence and Lindiwe was released, but Itumeleng isn’t giving up. “She is the protagonist and like all heroes, she is willing to sacrifice everything that she believes in to see justice served,” adds the 22-yearold actress. “Itumeleng lost her pillar of strength and she will do everything in her power to see Lindiwe rot in jail for her father’s murder.” The community favours women and your character has her head screwed on straight. How is she helping her mom financially? Itumeleng grew up in poverty, but her dad would always make a plan. Now that he isn’t here, the family is struggling. She’s holding down smalltime jobs here and there and it’s hard for her. But she learnt from her father and she isn’t giving up. This is a big “first-time” role. How did you get your foot in the door? I was writing my law exams at Wits University last year and heard that the production house was holding auditions. Acting had been at the back of my mind for a while, so I thought I might as well try. I got the “you’re hired” call two weeks later and it’s been amazing since! How do you balance work with studying something as intensive as law? It’s hectic. I hardly have time for anything else but it’s a little price to pay for all of this. Weren’t you intimidated walking onto a set as a newbie when you’re working with people like Sindi and Moshidi, who’ve been in the business for decades? It’s an out- ofworld experience. I’ve watched these women onscreen growing up and now I have developed respect for them on a personal level, seeing them differently between takes. We have long working hours and we have formed almost our own little family. It’s amazing!