Makoma Mohale gained popularity as an actress on Scandal! and she now gets to play Queen Modjadji, the legendary rain queen.
This week, Mohale told Sunday World that this signifies greater recognition, which should open up more opportunities.
The actress revealed that she enjoys taking chances and believes that anything is possible for her—as long as the universe permits it.
She had heard her father speak to his family in the language, so she knew a little bit when she was approached for the pilot. The video was scheduled to be released in two hours.
God and ancestors took me there
“I went on YouTube to make up a monologue, sent it and I was confirmed,” said Mohale.
“I then got the scripts, which were not translated, so I asked my dad to translate for me; he made it in a much simpler Khelobedu.”
She later realised that production sent translated versions that were deeper in Khelobedu than she had anticipated.
“I remember on the day of the pilot shoot I wanted to pull out; I have no idea how I found myself at the location learning my lines.
“I guess God and my ancestors took me there. Then came the audition. I understood the language better and was much more confident.
“I knew at the moment I aced my audition; I was looking forward to a callback; then I got it, and in a blink of an eye, I got the role.”
Manifesting as a queen
According to Mohale, this is a significant time in her career.
She added that although portraying a historical figure in real life requires some adjustment in perspective and technique, it is not overly difficult.
“When preparing for the role, I had so much fun; I have manifested being a queen or holding a title of such magnitude from a young age,” she said.
“I also refer to myself as the royal one, especially after my parents told me that I apparently cried for my name, so playing this role has really been amazing and challenging in an amazing way.”
Extensive research
Mohale claimed that conducting extensive research was a necessary part of her preparation for the role of rain queen.
Nonetheless, choosing the trance’s boundaries and how to address the ancestors during joyful or upsetting moments were among the difficulties that came with taking on a spiritual role.
“I gathered as much information as I could find on the internet; we also had a story briefing before production.
“Once I saw how the character looks in terms of physical transformation, including make-up and wardrobe, it became easy to give it a voice, speech, behaviour, and mannerism.
“I basically learned about the historical figure being The Rain Queen but also did not forget to discover the human as well.”
More female lead characters
Mohale is known for speaking isipitori, a dialect from Pretoria, but she said that she is part of the Lobedu tribe.
Her father is Molobedu from Jokone, but she, however, grew up more on her mother’s side (Bapedi), so this meant she had to learn the language.
The actress believes the industry needs more female lead characters, especially when it comes to representation.
“Female character leads have seemed more abundant over the years. I am happy that we have shows that will inspire you to see a new change in terms of female representation on television and each one of them celebrates women from all walks of life, such as The Queen, The River, The Woman King, and so forth.”
Also Read: Makoma Mohale to play lead role on Queen Modjadji
