Surviving Gaza unearth new gem in Botlhale Mahlangu: Interview  

Impulse Africa Magazine Team recently caught up with rising actor Botlhale Mahlangu who is from Atteridgeville following his lead role on SA film Surviving Gaza.

Surviving Gaza is a Vusi Africa film set against the very vibrant kwaito era in South Africa.

In the film, a young man, whose role is portrayed by none other than Botlhale Mahlangu, is caught between a rock and a hard place, confronted with the uncertain dream of a career in kwaito, love and the open door to a life of crime.

• Briefly tell us about yourself?

20 years old super talented aspiring actor, born and raised in Pretoria, Atteridgeville.

• How would you describe your journey as an actor so far?

I would describe my journey as wonderful, since 2016 when I started acting I never really wanted to do anything else with my life.

I realised it is more than a talent but a calling after my first play many more prominent roles were offered to me.

Just after I completed high school my first film role came knocking.  I auditioned for it with no doubt that it was mine so my journey has been magical.

• Your breakout role on Surviving Gaza, how did it come about and what impact is it having on your life so far?

How my first film role came about is that in the casting stages of the film my name got mentioned in the room.

Vusi then reached out to me and asked me to audition by sending through a self-tape.

I did that as quickly as I could. A funny story I was asked if I could rap I lied and I said yes.

He then asked I should send him one my songs and I had to run to a friend’s music studio to record the worst rap song to ever exist.

I sent it to him and immediately confessed that I was not a rapper.

He laughed and told me to stay put after almost 5 months I got email from channel to audition for it again and in 7 days the role was mine and I had the full script in my hand.

It has impacted my life in all great ways possible, big names that I grew up looking up to are now starting to recognize me and I have built relationships with some people in the industry.

READ: Vusi Afrika teases new kwaito film Surviving Gaza set for 2022

• Can you tell us how was the experience of shooting Surviving Gaza and how would you describe your relationship with director Vusi Afrika?

Shooting Surviving Gaza had to be one of my best yet overwhelming experiences, it was quite a huge set, live location more than 40 people present every day and every week iconic actors and artists came.

I was overwhelmed to work with people both my parents and I grew up watching.

Working with Vusi is just awesome he has a big personality and high energy, he knows what he wants and he knows how to get it out of actor without coming across as demanding.

He is like an older brother to me. He held my hand throughout the whole process and made sure I had safe working space.

• Where do you draw inspiration from as an Actor?

I spend most of my time at the theatre watching different kinds of theatre exhibitions, even when I am not rehearsing for a show I am there to watch other people rehearse.

•   Growing up, how did your surroundings influence you into becoming an actor?

My surroundings played a huge role in me becoming an actor firstly my father used to voice over Sepedi Cartoons when he was in Primary school.

When I was in primary my mother’s younger brothers had cultural groups rehearsing in our backyard so I also ended up joining the groups, until I went to the South African State Theatre to further enhance my skills.

• Any upcoming projects you are currently working on?

At the moment there are no projects I am working on but hopefully the release of Gaza will attract projects.

• Any advice on how local film can accommodate more young talent like you?

I urge directors to go to theatres first when scouting for talent because theatre holds a large number of raw and talented actors whom the industry does not know of.

• Three things people do not know about you?

• I am a dancer before an actor
• I am a poet
• I collect tins and glass for recycling together with my grandmother

• What are you most grateful for right now?
  
  

I am grateful to be alive more than anything the past two years have not been easy.

A lot of lives were post and I myself experienced two life threatening surgeries so I am grateful for life.  

Surviving Gaza launches on eMedia’s online streaming platform eVOD on 24 February 2022.