Meet Tumelo Mapakela, a 25-year-old who want to leave a mark in the acting industry.
She was born and bred in the dusty streets of Mokamole Makekeng, in Mokopane, and her life is a mix of hard work and big dreams.
Early Days and School Life
Tumelo went to Mangwedi Primary School and later finished high school at Matopa Secondary School. Now, she lives in Hammanskraal, Gauteng, juggling both a job and studying civil engineering at Mavco Engineering Academy.
“Growing up was tough. It was just me, my grandma, sister, and mom. Mom worked hard to keep us going,” said Tumelo.
She added, “Mom, you’re my hero!.”
Acting Passion from Childhood
Tumelo said that she fell in love with acting when she was young, playing a games with her friends.
This is where her love for acting started.
“When we were busy playing I have developed an interest in acting and want to be an actress or model,” she said, showing her excitement.
Balancing Engineering and Acting
Even with a focus on civil engineering and doing practicals at Segwera Transport and Project, Tumelo is not giving up on acting. She’s also into modeling and joined PTA Crown 2024, showing her diverse interests.
Heroes and Inspiration
When Tumelo was 10 years old, she started to imitate an Ameriac actress, Viola Davis. She said that she admires her for her passion for acting.
“She inspired me to follow this path,” Tumelo shares.
Facing Challenges and Not Giving Up
Tumelo said that she encountered challenges during auditions. In Newtown, Johannesburg, they were looking for Zulu’s and Xhosas speaking actors, and she was not fluent in those languages.
Even though they didn’t call her back, she didn’t throw in the towel. “That experience showed me I could be an actor,” Tumelo says.
Guidance and First Steps in Acting
Tumelo thanked and praised her acting teacher, Jan Maphoroma, who is also an actor, for assisting her with acting trainings and techniques.
Her first acting role was as a background artist on Gomora, on Mzansi Magic, where she felt a mix of happiness and a bit of nervousness. Later, she worked as a waitress and in the wedding crew on Generations: The Legacy, on SABC 1.
Dreaming Big for the Future
Looking forward, Tumelo dreams of having a big business and her own production company. She imagines acting in big shows and movies overseas, even wanting to try her hand at directing in the acting industry.
Tumelo Mapakela’s journey is about hard work, dreams, and balancing two passions.
She shows that with determination, you can pursue both engineering and acting, making your mark in the world.
