The Botswana-born and bred actress kept her faith through uncertain times and finally got her big break in 2021. A Bachelor of Theatre Arts graduate from The University of Botswana, Angela is no stranger to the limelight; having secured the Miss Maun title back in 2009 and featuring on a couple of ads and music videos.
She plays Itseng Motsamai on Muvhango, James Motsamai’s estranged sister, and a troubled stripper. And although she’s new on South Africa’s small screen, Angela has captured the hearts of many through her gripping performance.
We reached out to the 26-year-old to get to know her, her journey, and her love for God.
TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF AND WHERE YOU GREW UP
I was born in Maun in Botswana, into a single-parent family, headed by my mother. Back at home, I’m known for my modelling career, and I’ve done several commercial ads, even music videos and some newspapers and magazines. I started with modelling even before I could do acting. I think I was about nine years old when I participated in a pageant at my primary school back in Maun. Ever since then I was drawn towards modelling. I even won Miss Maun 2009 when I was 15! Many people are fond of me as a model. Only a select few know me as an actress. A lot of people got to find out I’m an actress with this Muvhango opportunity.
WHAT WERE YOU LIKE AS A CHILD?
I was a very quiet child, more of an introvert. I’ve always liked my own space, just being home. I remember when I was a child I used to go to church alone. I grew up loving God and His word. A very interesting fact is that immediately after I was born, I was moved to church premises and I stayed there for three months. I never really asked about it, but my mom told me that when she was pregnant with me, she suddenly had this desire to always be in church. So, for her whole pregnancy she found herself in church, but she was never really like that before.
WHICH THREE WORDS WOULD YOU USE TO DESCRIBE ANGELA?
I think I am complicated, artistic, and spiritual. I say I’m complicated because I can be stubborn sometimes. If I put my mind to doing something, it's very hard to shake me up. Once I’ve made up my mind I stick to that.
WHEN DID YOU KNOW YOU WANTED TO BE AN ACTRESS?
When I was just 10 years old, I spotted my fellow schoolmates rehearsing for a play in primary school. Whatever I was seeing at that moment sparked an interest in me, but I never gave myself a chance to nurture it.
At 13, I graduated to junior school, still in Maun. And because students have to join extra-curricular activities after school, I signed up for the school drama class – it was just so interesting to me! And that’s how the magic began.
When I graduated from my senior years and went to varsity some people advised me to study accounting, saying that at least if I’m doing accounting after I graduate, I’m guaranteed a job. I only studied for a semester, and I realised accounting is not for me at all. So, I decided to drop it and go towards my passion – theatre arts.
So, for the next six months, I looked for something to keep me busy before starting my theatre course – that’s when I got a job as a peer educator. I went door to door in Gaborone teaching about STIs, STDs and the use of condoms. So, I had to go around holding a dildo – LOL – for demonstrations. I also had to carry condoms around.
When taught the youth, we also had to show them how to use female and male condoms, and then we had to give them a few.
WAS YOUR FAMILY SUPPORTIVE OF THE PATH YOU HAD CHOSEN?
My mom has always been supportive. I remember when I was still in Botswana, she was schooling and working in Durban as a mechanical engineer, and she would sometimes call and tell me to record a gospel album or something and she will fund it.
Since I was a model, she was always on my side, and she always made sure that that I had everything I needed. Even my relatives have been supportive.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR JOURNEY TO MUVHANGO, WHAT WAS IT LIKE?
In 2018 when I graduated, a friend sent me a post by Muvhango saying they are holding auditions in Botswana, in the city that I was in. So I thought, let me try my luck. I didn't really take it that seriously.
That very same day they told us who made it into the top 12. After three months they then called and told me that I made it into the final call-back audition, and asked that I go to Joburg.
Anyway, I made it to the top and after a few auditions later – I got the role but due to personal challenges, I couldn't go ahead with the role, and they had to give it to somebody else.
A year later, in 2020, I received an email from them, saying they would love to work with me. That’s also when Covid-19 hit. At the time, I was stuck in Botswana and couldn’t make it.
Fast forward to 2021 and I was finally able to accept a role.
Regardless of all the challenges I have faced, I understood that sometimes delay doesn’t mean rejection, just protection. Sometimes God is still working on something better and bigger. I’m very thankful to the Muvhango producer and creator for not giving up on me after all these years.
WHAT WOULD YOU TELL YOUNG, ASPIRING ACTORS AND ACTRESSES?
I would ask them to persevere and be patient with their dreams, and nurture them. If you love acting, and haven't done or can’t do a course, at least find a group in your community to help perfect your craft.
You must be wise enough to not drink from every cup that you’re offered, because that is how you get poisoned. Be wise and diligent about the opportunities you’re offered, and don’t just accept everything.
Lastly, never forget God. In all you do and accomplish, always, always acknowledge Him because he will take you further than you could on your own.
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WHO IS YOUR ROLE MODEL, AND WHY?
I think my role model would be Jesus. Yeah, I have people that I admire like Beyoncé and Tyler Perry, because of their work ethic.
I would say that my mom is my role model because that's what's usually expected of somebody to say.
But if I dig deeper, it’s Jesus because, from a young age, I've always read the Bible, and I've always been following how He would act in certain situations, you know, the whole commandment of love. When I think about it, I’ve always tried to follow that, and in a way, I’ve been walking in His footsteps.
WHAT IS THE ONE THING MOST PEOPLE DON’T KNOW ABOUT YOU?
I love rapping – LOL! I actually once wrote a really cool song; but decided not to release it. Years later I realised that whatever I was saying in the song was actually not in line with who I am.
WHAT DO YOU DO TO RELAX?
Prayer really relaxes me. It’s being home, listening to some good worship songs and praying. That recharges me. Apart from that – shopping! Retail therapy works like magic!
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE PLACE IN THE WORLD?
I would say my room. I’m much of a loner – I can’t say I’m an introvert or extrovert because I adapt to my environment. But most of the time I enjoy being alone.
IF THERE IS ONE THING YOU COULD CHANGE IN THE WORLD, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
I would make sure there's no such thing as suffering. There’s nothing as heart-breaking as seeing a homeless person in the street begging. There are people who are suffering in different ways too, it can be an old person at home not having any help.
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WHAT ARE A FEW OF YOUR FUTURE PLANS?
I'd love to grow my craft to a point where I have featured in other major productions, and even have some awards. I would also love to have an agency, and an arts academy so that I can help other aspiring artists. I’d help them grow their craft and connect them to the right people in the industry. There's nothing fun about elevating and winning alone while others are struggling when you know that you can make a difference and do something about it.
Related article: Getting real with Seputla Sebogodi
BY NTHABISENG MAKHOKHA
UP CLOSE WITH MUVHANGO’S NEWEST CAST MEMBER: ANGELA ATLANG
Reviewed by Michelle Pienaar
on
September 07, 2021
Rating:
Reviewed by Michelle Pienaar
on
September 07, 2021
Rating:
