Embarking on a journey that traces Siphesihle’s beginnings and her continuous impact in the industry, for the cover we wanted to tap into the theme of “Where It All Began” focusing on her versatility in the film industry. Siphesihle, with her theatre background, stands out in a world where success is often linked to television prominence. Siphesihle became well-known for her role as Mazet on the Mzansi Magic drama series Gomora.
Her transition to film and television showcases her as a powerful talent, breaking norms and inspiring others with similar ambitions. Amidst criticisms of lack of diversity in the industry, Siphesihle shines as a representation of success, drawing strength from her roots in theatre. Her personal victories resonate with audiences.
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Taking place at the Artistry in Sandton, whilst on set, Siphesihle initially appeared shy but quickly blossomed, bringing laughter and energy to the room with each outfit change. Eager to collaborate and learn, she seamlessly integrated with the production team, making the most of her time and leaving a lasting impression with her presence.
Siphesible’s story is one of dedication and achievement. She attended the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls from grade 10 until she finished high school. After that, she went to Rhodes University, where she studied for a Bachelor of Social Science with majors in psychology, economics, and drama. In 2019, she graduated with an honours degree in dramatic arts, specializing in acting, physical theatre, and applied theatre.
“I grew up in a very artistic family. A family full of musicians and some actors. So I always knew i’d be in the arts, I just didn’t know in what capacity”
Where do you see your career in five years as an actress?
I’d say I would be producing and writing some of the work I star in. I really enjoy the creative process of bringing a project to life. I’ve realised I have a lot to contribute in that space. When I work on a project my mind is constantly thinking about how I can amplify the work or make it seem more authentic- I can sit for hours researching, (and I read A LOT) so I think that [producing/writing] would be the natural path to take.
How do you think success has changed your life?
Besides the obvious – not being able to do mundane things like grocery shopping without someone noticing me, I’d say its allowed me to meet people and gotten me into spaces that made me realise that acting isnt the ceiling, there are so many ways to create, there are so many ways to commodify your creativity but most importantly to work laterally. We often think that in order to succeed you need to find someone in a higher position than you are to “put you on” but in actual fact, you have a greater chance at growing if you work across – work with your peers and creatives around you, just keep creating as much as you can – the more you create, the more you grow- the more you grow the easier it is for more success to locate you and when it does, it will find you ready.
“BE A SPONGE. If you come into the industry as an actor – don’t restrict yourself to just reading scripts, performing and then going home.”
What techniques do you use to create believable and relatable characters?
R.E.S.E.A.R.C.H. – You cannot create/embody real life people without coming into contact with their lived experience. You cannot create a character by sitting at home in solitude. Go out. Meet people. See the world the character lives in, – use all senses to create; Taste: what food do they eat? Smell: What does their environment smell like? What do they smell like? Do they use deodorant /perfume? Can they afford it? Audio: How do they speak? How do the people around them speak? Do they live in a township – are there sounds of taxis driving by? Do they live in the suburbs- do you hear hadedas in the morning? How does this contribute to who and how they are?
How did you realize that you have a passion/talent for acting?
I grew up in a very artistic family. A family full of musicians and some actors. So I always knew i’d be in the arts, I just didn’t know in what capacity until I auditioned for the school musical in 10th grade- more specifically on the first night of our performance. That’s when I knew that I wanted to spend my time on stage forever.
Outside acting, do you have any other major interests or passions?
I write a lot in my spare time. I’m a very active person; I do gym five times a week, pilates three times a week and always looking for fun activities to do with friends such as paddle tennis, touch rugby, action cricket, rock climbing etc. I’ve always had a love for fashion since I was a child – I guess it’s another way for me to express my creativity. I design and curate looks, conceptualise shoots/ editorials, style friends for events – I have A LOT of fun!
What advice have you received that you would love to pass down to those that aspire to walk into the film industry?
Advice? BE A SPONGE. If you come into the industry as an actor – don’t restrict yourself to just reading scripts, performing and then going home. Familiarise yourself with other departments; camera – find out more about lenses, lighting – find our more about how light is used to aid the story, speak to the production manager on set- find out how the space is run – this will in turn not only make you a better actor, but also a better creative. information/ knowledge is where your power lies. Its also where your growth as an artist lies and who knows- you might find out you like something else more than your initial segue into the industry.
