BY SIPHOSETHU MABUZA
MANZINI– Eswatini actress and creative Skhanyiso Sithole is steadily expanding her acting career beyond the country’s borders, with her recent work on Shaka iLembe Season 2 marking a significant step in her journey.
For Sithole, the opportunity was more than another production credit. Working on a major production exposed her to a larger professional environment and showed her that emaSwati creatives can compete and contribute to productions beyond Eswatini.
She described being part of Shaka iLembe Season 2 as one of the most significant moments of her career, saying the experience changed the way she viewed the possibilities available to young creatives from the country.
“It made me realise that the dreams we have as creatives in Eswatini don’t have to remain dreams simply because we come from a small country,” Sithole said.
Her interest in acting began during childhood, when she would watch television and become fascinated by actors’ ability to transform into different characters and convince audiences of the stories they were telling.
As she grew older, acting became more than an interest. Sithole found it to be a form of expression, allowing her to communicate emotions and feelings that she often struggled to express otherwise.
However, pursuing acting professionally has not always been straightforward. “My journey has required determination because Eswatini has not always had a clear pathway for young people seeking to train seriously in acting,” she said.
Rather than allowing the limited opportunities to stop her, Sithole took responsibility for her own development. She searched for acting masterclasses, workshops, auditions and acting groups, including opportunities across the border in South Africa.
Growing up close to the border also gave her greater access to opportunities outside the country, while friends helped alert her to workshops and acting groups. “I didn’t always have the resources, but I had the hunger,” she said.
Sithole believes Eswatini has a pool of talent that could grow considerably if the creative sector receives greater investment and structure. She called for more acting and arts programmes, workshops, production funding and creative spaces where artists can develop their skills while earning a living from their work.
She also believes young people should encounter the arts earlier through the education system, particularly because talented individuals may not know where to start.
For aspiring actors, Sithole’s advice is to begin learning, creating and pursuing opportunities rather than waiting for someone to give them permission to follow their dreams.
Looking ahead, she hopes to work on bigger productions, tell meaningful stories and represent Eswatini internationally. Her ambitions, however, extend beyond her own career. “I don’t just want to make it out of Eswatini. I want to help make it possible for others to make it here too,” she said.
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(Courtesy Pic)
