- Actor Liopelo Maphathe believes the creative industry has become more challenging as the years go by.
- Maphathe shared five challenges women face in the creative arts industry.
- The former Housekeepers actor was a keynote speaker at an event in Orange Farm which had over 200 speakers, 100 exhibitors and 15 industry stages to empower young people.
The creative industry has a broad spectrum of challenges - actor Liopelo Maphethe unpacks her realities as an active female creative practitioner.
Maphethe kicked off youth month, talking to young people at the Empowa Youth Week conference held in Orange Farm.
The event had over 200 speakers, 100 exhibitors and 15 industry stages held at the Chris Hani Sports Complex.
Keynote speakers included Sonia Mbele, TBo Touch, Thato Molamu and Awarding producer and composer Lebo M.
Maphethe is known for various roles on Backstage, the SABC2 sitcom Moferefere Lenyalong, e.tv's Durban Gen and the Mzansi Magic drama Housekeepers.
The Lesotho-born actor kicked off her career relatively young, flourished through the years and has never looked back.
"I started acting as early as primary school and told myself that acting was my calling and passion. I couldn't and still can't see myself doing anything else in the professional space," she said.
In an interview with Channel24, Maphethe shared five challenges women face in the creative arts industry.
These include the lack of roles as many are gunning for the same roles, limited productions to service the number of growing actors, pregnancy, the lack of togetherness by women and the pressures of the hours on the job.
"Limited productions to service the number of actors, so basically supply supersedes demand," said Maphethe.
"You dare fall pregnant is the number one taboo which goes against everything the bill of human rights stipulates, but when in Rome, you do as Romans do," she said.
The former Backstage actor added, "Lack of cohesion and togetherness by women in the industry in terms of basic conduct when dealing with producers and production houses.
"Lastly, the pressure that one is expected to work and function under for hours and also that somehow people neglect the fact that we still have to be mothers and people's wives when you get home," she explained.
Maphethe believes the challenges have gotten worse as the years go by. "Our currency is no longer our talent but other external factors. i.e. relevance."
'Focus more on the vision than the dream'
The 40-year -old actor admires veteran actors like Nandi Yembe, Connie Chume, Motshabi Tylelele, Thembi Nyandeni and Lillian Dube. They have passed on the baton to the youth in the creative industry.
"These women carry themselves with class, and their passion and talent is what landed and still lands them roles to this day," she said.
According to Maphethe, growth in the industry is always a benefit in moulding one's craft as an actor.
"I believe the younger generation needs to be reminded that your craft is your currency and that never gets too old or becomes irrelevant with time your talent matures like fine wine," she said.
The piece of advice she would give her younger self and any other aspiring female actors: "To young Liopelo, trust in yourself from the get-go and know that we are all here for a purpose, never look outside for validation as they are a lot of wolves with sheep skin…
"Focus more on the vision and the dream. Keep on bettering the muscle by reading more, watching plays at theatres, television and film. [Lastly] practice your writing and not wait for gigs but make sure you direct your career as most people would like to think there is a map and truly there is none," she said.