Multi-talented Thembi Mtshali-Jones is recognised as one of South Africa’s most celebrated artists as a singer, actress, producer and playwright. She recently graced the red carpet at the Berlin International Film Festival for the World Premier of for her outstanding work on the 1988 feature film, Mapantsula.
She co-founded the production company Spirit Sister Productions in 2006 which produced a women’s magazine program The Power Within for SABC3 and other documentaries focusing on women’s stories. Thembi has been a juror for the International Emmy Awards for film and television since 2009 to present. She has served on different boards in the arts, including the Gauteng Film Commission, The Baxter Theatre and the Living Legends Legacy Fraternity Trust (LLLFT).
She grew up in a small village near Ulundi in KwaZulu-Natal and later moved to Durban. Her professional career as an actress and a singer started in the early 70s and she has performed around the globe including on Broadway in New York and the West End in London.
Please tell us a little more about yourself and your journey thus far.
I live in Cape Town. I have one daughter and two granddaughters. I am currently working in Durban on a television series, Imbewu, as one of the lead actors for ETV. I have appeared in many other television productions including the long-running sitcoms Sgudi Snaysi and Stokvel. I also have a long credit of feature films including the award-winning Mapantsula which has been digitally restored to 4K this year and was recently presented at the Berlin International Film Festival. My work as a Theatre practitioner working with young up-and-coming actors has earned me numerous awards including:
- Living Legend award at the National Black Theatre Festival in North Carolina, USA
- Executive Directors award by the National Naledi Theatre awards, South Africa
- The Imbokodo Award in the category of theatre which honours women who push the boundaries of the genre and create new and exciting performances of a high standard.
- Living Legend Award by eThekwini Municipality and KZN Province.
- In 2022 I was conferred with an honorary Doctor of Philosophy in Visual Arts by the Durban University of Technology
Please tell us a little more about how your company came about.
I co-founded Spirit Sister Productions in 2006 with two other women. Our mission was to open a platform where women of all ages can tell their stories to empower other women. I also use the Spirit Sister platform to encourage young women to create their work under our mentorship. I now run the company with my daughter Phumzile whose background is in finance.
What is it that you are passionate about?
I am passionate about telling stories. I was fascinated from a young age when my grandmother would tell us stories accompanied by song and dance and she would challenge us to create our stories. I think that is one of the reasons I pursued a career in the arts.
Who or What has been the biggest influence in your life and why?
I was lucky that during my first trip travelling overseas with a production in the ’70s, I met Miriam Makeba who became my mother in a foreign land. She is the one who influenced me to use every platform I get to sing or tell stories that empower or make a positive change in people’s lives.
What is your personal “motto”?
Never give up!
What advice would you give a woman wanting to follow her dreams?
Don’t compare yourself to anyone else. You are unique.
Who or what is your inspiration and why?
My mother is my inspiration, she faced so many challenges in her life but she never gave up, she remained strong and raised seven children on her own. She will be 90 years old this August. A real Imbokodo.
What advice would you give your younger self?
I would tell my younger self, “You are good enough… Enjoy life more!”
Your favourite daily affirmation:
All is well and I’m safe in my world.
Your favourite quote:
When one door closes ten other doors open.
Which book are you currently reading?
I just finished reading “The Widow’s Room”. A journey from cultural oppression to freedom by Mbangiseni Dzivhani.
What are your top 3 business tips?
- Enjoy and love what you do.
- Give yourself “Me time” and travel!
- Trust your decisions!
What would you say is your secret to success?
My ability to reinvent myself and go with the times.
One piece of (general) advice that you’d like to share:
If you have made a mistake learn from it and move on, don’t sink into it. It’s a waste of time.
Contact Information:
Facebook Page: Spirit Sister Productions Network
Instagram: @mtshalijones
Submitted by Clayton Morar Media
