Congratulations are in order for television actress, writer and director Mmabatho Montsho. Taking to Instagram, the star announced that she has just received her Master of Arts In Writing For Script And Screen.
The likes of Hulisani, Sizwe Dhlomo, Dineo Ranaka and Candice Modiselle congratulated Mmabatho on her big win. Mmabatho is best known for her television roles as Lumka Dhlomo in the SABC1 in Generations, as Thembi Phakathi in e.tv’s Rhythm City, and as Lerato in the M-Net drama series Jacob's Cross.
Her credits as a director include SABC 1’s Thula noThulani, e.tv Scandal!, Frontières, The Award Ceremony, Joko Ya Hao and Nothing for Mahala. She’s been awarded a Golden Horn Award for Best Achievement in Script in a TV Drama and 2020 - Best Short Film - Worldwide Women's Film Festival in Arizona. Montsho is reportedly married to EFF’s Mbuyiseni Ndlozi.
Chatting to Careers Mag about the Arts industry in SA, the actress feels that the industry needs financial supports. “The arts industry needs support literally from grade Zero. I was just speaking to one of the guys on set right now that there’s a huge part of the education element that’s missing. From the beginning when you’re young and you understand the value of it in society as well,” she said.
“And when we become storytellers and filmmakers, the most important thing is to keep making films. For you to keep making better films and to understand what’s working and what’s not working you need is to keep making films and that needs a lot of money. Once you’re done with your film you still need a lot of money to market it.”
The star also opened up about her future plans and inspirations. “I’ve got lots of stories that I still want to tell. In terms of filmmaking, one of my favourite directors is Pedro Almodóvar. I like the way he speaks about women in his stories. He’s got a way of telling women’s stories that is right.”
