Following the conclusion of the daily dramaGomora in October 2023, beloved actress Siyasanga Papu (Pretty) has returned to the stage to reconnect with her artistic roots.
She is now taking on the role of Motshabi Dandala in an upcoming film, Lucky Fish.
Sowetan spoke with the 39-year-old actress ahead of the film’s premiere at Ster-Kinekor in Sandton, Johannesburg, on Tuesday evening.
“I recently performed in The Cry of Winnie Mandela, directed by Kgomotso ‘Momo’ Matsunyane, which was an incredible experience,” Papu shared. “After Gomora, I jumped back into theatre and was met with a warm reception. The play even received two run extensions, an unprecedented achievement, and we are returning by popular demand this year. I also performed in Ka Lebitso la Moya, again directed by Momo.
“It garnered numerous nominations at the Naledi Theatre Awards last year. At the same time, I also joined the cast of the film Lucky Fish, produced by Roushouse Productions.”
Papu explained that the film was shot in Phoenix, Durban, and penned by Meren Reddy, known for his role in City Ses’la, alongside Craig Gardner.
“They spent around eight years developing this movie. Eventually, Amazon got on board, and it finally became a reality. It premiered at the Durban International Film Festival last week and will be released in cinemas on July 25,” she added.
Discussing her character in the film, Papu mentioned that Motshabi is “shy and introverted,” but discovers her strength as the story progresses.
“This film highlights a diverse group of misfits, reflecting those who have yet to find their voices. I hope through its humor and relevance, audiences will recognize aspects of themselves in these characters who ultimately gain confidence through a beauty contest,” she remarked.
“My biggest takeaway from this film is that we still have a long way to go. The beauty ideals were shaped by Western influences, and here we are in Africa trying to conform. With social media, we’ve got filters that alter our appearances, complicating our efforts to break free from these false standards. Currently, our perception of beauty is skewed,” she said.
Papu, who has been performing since her teenage years, is one of the fortunate actors who consistently find work within a competitive industry. Yet, she acknowledges that continuous work doesn’t mean she accepts every role offered to her—especially if a project lacks authenticity or a clear vision for her as an actor.
“There have been times when, after reading the brief, I realized it wasn’t designed with someone like me in mind, and I chose to pass. Directors have a visual concept, but as an actor, I know I could portray the character; unfortunately, the role wasn’t crafted for me,” she noted.
“Often, those behind the scenes hold a certain view of what audiences want to see, and then a vibrant, plus-size Siyasanga steps onto the stage, surprising them with the realization that the world is ready for diverse representations. I hope we can eventually recognize that storytelling should reflect society, allowing it to see itself in the narratives presented,” she expressed.
The Cry of Winnie Mandela is still being performed, while Papu is also working on a brief role in a telenovela—though she couldn’t disclose much about it.
A cooking enthusiast and entrepreneur, Papu is busy launching her own line of chili sauce, which is now available in retail stores. “I enjoy cooking, and this marks my first venture in business, so perhaps a cookbook is on the horizon,” she concluded.
