The South African entertainment industry might not have a big enough platform for Venda speaking artists but this young lady is determined to change all of that.
The 26-year-old Shonisani Masutha is a passionate, dynamic and outgoing young actress who most of us may remember as Langanani, the chiefs potential 5th wife on SABC 2’s Muvhango.
Shonisani also appeared on season 2 of Mzansi Magic’s “Ring Of Lies where she played the role of Lutendo.
Not only is the young enthusiast ready to make her mark on South African soil, but she is just about ready to become an International sensation as well.
In 2015, Shoni had the opportunity to be featured on American series Royal Pains where she played a distressed African woman.
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There aren’t enough shows that allow for Venda speaking talent to shine through. Besides Muvhango and Ring of lies, Venda speaking shows and artists aren’t represented enough and definitely deserve a bigger platform.
“I really think that we should be allowed to start creating our own platforms as Venda speakers and also be given the same platform that other tribes, cultures and languages are given. We need to be given prime-time slots on a prominent channel or platform and show a different side to the Venda people and not just what we see on Muvhango, there’s more to us than just that” she said.
Shoni says that she wouldn't mind doing more work with the SABC and Etv as they could help her get even more exposure.
“I think shows on SABC and ETV could potentially help me get more recognition because they have the most engaged and interactive viewers”
About a year or two ago Shoni jokingly said to a friend of hers that if she had to own a sunglass line, she would call it “Shonisunnies” and just like that, Shoni’s sunglasses were born. The actress turned business-woman owns her own sunglass line and says that she was overwhelmed by the way they were received by the public and is really surprised by how well her business is doing.
When she isn’t acting and designing her sunnies, Shoni works at an Insurance company owned by her father where she works as a social media manager. Shonie seems to be one to be reckoned with and she hasn’t even started yet.
With a Performance Arts Degree from The University of Cape Town already in the bag, Shoni will commence with her Masters next year.
“2017 has been the year of planting seeds and really getting seen by the right people who are in the right spaces. 2018, however will be the year where I go back to the seeds I’ve planted and start to water them. In 2018 I’m working on getting back into television whilst I’m working on my own Pilot that I hope to get funding for. I’m more focused on building the Shonisani brand and building an empire”.
Main Image Credit: Instagram/@shonisani_m/@ele_lwani