Actress Londeka Sishi is not only the latest pretty girl to grace our television screens, but she’s actually quite a focused lady too. Many viewers have been mesmerized by the actress's beauty and talent since she first appeared on our small screens. There is no doubt that she is the new kid on the block in the industry to keep an eye on.
Also Read: Rave Reviews For Adulting "It's Already Fire"
Also Read: Rave Reviews For Adulting "It's Already Fire"
The 26-year-old scored her big break when she landed the role of Nkanyezi on Showmax's Adulting. Set in Johannesburg, Adulting explores the parallel universes of four varsity friends. Their strong bond has held them together even as their journeys in life have taken them in very different directions.
Londeka studied at the Durban University of Technology and Rosebank College where she enrolled in Public Relations, and now she is pursuing her true calling which is acting. If there's one thing we've come to appreciate about her, is her love and dedication to her craft.
ZAlebs spoke to the actress about her upbringing, career, mental health struggles, and parenting. Let’s find out more about this young go-getter!
Who is Londeka Sishi?
Londeka Sishi is a shy girl from Port Shepstone in Kwazulu Natal. I moved to Durban and have spent most of my adult years there. I used to work in corporate, but I am very passionate about mental health, and now I have found myself pursuing my passion or my calling.
How was your upbringing?
I was born in a rural area called eMehlomnyana, and I spent my early childhood with my great-grandmother who I stayed with until early primary, and from there I stayed with my mother in Port Shepstone. I am the middle child of seven siblings.
Tell us more about your father?
I met my dad when I was probably doing Grade 10. I did not know about him until I was ill and they were like "We wanna introduce you to somebody, here's your dad." It was weird for me because I was staying with my mom and stepdad, so I always thought that my stepdad was my father.
How's your relationship with him now?
He passed away. I only knew him for a couple of years. During my matric year, he passed away. But, in the short time we spent together, we found many things in common with each other. We had a pretty decent relationship.,
And coming from where I come from emakhaya, I was excited to have a dad. It didn't matter to me that I met him when I was older.
Tell us more about your daughter?
Liyana is 5 years old. She came at the right time. What many people don't know is that she came at a time when I was depressed and felt like I lacked purpose.
I was also suicidal. I was like I don't understand why I am here because there is no purpose here. She has taught me so much about love, patience, and kindness. I am a single parent even though her dad is in her life, they got a strong bond but we are no longer together. We are co-parenting.
What were you doing before Adulting?
Before I was on Adulting I worked for a mental health organization where we offered counseling and we did virtual counseling. Being in the mental space helped me identify certain things and find ways to deal with them. How I dealt with it by praying and writing and journaling.
When did your passion for acting begin?
I have always been passionate about acting. As I said that I am the middle child, I was the black sheep of the family. Everyone knew what was going on my mom is militant, she's a pastor and a teacher.
She's militant, disciplined, and very strict. I was always the one doing weird things in the family, talking to myself, doing drama skits, and doing anything that involved arts. I used to sing at church but obviously, as you grow you lose interest and zest for the things that you are passionate about.
How did you land the role of Nkanyezi on Adulting?
I was in my corporate job and I saw the casting call from Tshedza Pictures and I was like "Let me try again" and that's when I auditioned for it.
Can you tell us more about your audition experience for the role?
It was very strenuous I don't want to lie. It started with the open call where you needed to submit a self-tape of you introducing yourself. From there they send you a script, then they called me in for a screen test.
At the time, I was in Durban and they had to do it in Johannesburg. It was frustrating because at the time I did not have money, but I made a plan and called a couple of friends. I did the screen test and after a couple of processes, I got the job and quit my corporate job immediately.
When I got off the call with the casting director I went to my boss's office and said I needed to quit with immediate effect. He thought I was joining but realized that I was not joking and there was nothing that he could have done.
How did you feel when you landed the role?
It was such a surreal experience. For me it was God reaching out to me because I got it at a time when my relationship with him was rocky. You know when you are going through the most, it felt like I kept on praying asking for a breakthrough and some light but it felt like he was pressing skip with my prayers. So, that was definitely an answered prayer and a reminder that God does things in his own divine way and time.
How was your first day on set?
It was amazing, the first day on set was not as hectic, I think the only pressure for me was that I was working with people who have been doing this for quite some time and this is my CV. For me, the pressure was that I had to come through on set and deliver.
Because I had already met the cast and everyone at the table reading and we got to know each other. The ice was broken and thankfully they were amazing people. The likes of Thembinkosi Mthembu were very generous with their knowledge and patience. They gave me really good tips, so it was amazing.
How was playing Nkanyenzi?
It has been very therapeutic for me. Nkanyezi is a lady that I think I aspire to be. We share quite a few traits. But she is the more mature version of the lady that I aspire to be.
She is very self-aware driven and focused. She knows what she wants. I think I love how self-aware she is. As much as she is loving, she's not at a point where she wants to lose herself
How has been the reception from the viewers since the show premiered?
This question always brings me to tears honestly. People have been so kind. The reception has been insane. It was unexpected for me. It was a lot for me to take in. People have been showing love to me through DMs and sending prayers.
They have been saying that they cannot wait to see more of me. I had to take a moment and go for counseling. I know it sounds crazy but I had to go for counseling because I am not sure what to do with this love.
How was your family been since you landed the role?
They have been very supportive. They are always offering a helping hand. I think the biggest thing is that they know that my passion has always been here. I think I have paid my dues for everything that I have done but my passion has always been here.
How did your mother react to the explicit scenes?
It was definitely a shock. I did not warn anyone when we were shooting. My mother told the congregation that I was going to be on the show. When the show came out I ignored her for a couple of days. we have never spoken about it.
What can we expect from you this year?
I have a couple of projects that I am working on. I have already show a show that came out on Mzansi Magic. It was a mini-series and I played the character of Lumka Nkosi, I started working on another show that I cannot say much about.
What would you still love to achieve in the industry?
I write and I have a blog. It's a dedication to my daughter, there are a lot of stories that I would still love to tell. I want to tap into the writing and producing space.
I would like to grow my acting craft in Hollywood and follow in the footsteps of Thuso Mbedu and Nomzamo Mbatha.
Image Cred: Supplied (Showmax)