You’ll no doubt recognise her talent from her TV debut on the popular show Generations many years ago.
Since then, Linda Sokhulu’s career has blossomed and she has featured in some of our favourite local TV dramas.
Drum catches up with the actress who tells us her first love was theatre.
Where the journey began
Originally from Durban, she began acting on stage there before auditioning in 2004 for Generations and finding a much wider audience.
“Being on TV wasn’t my ultimate goal, but as a person you always want to see how you can grow and expand yourself and your career, which is how I ended up on TV. However, I really enjoyed theatre,” she says.
Read more | Linda Sokhulu to join Rhythm City in new mysterious role
Playing Ziyanda
The actress is currently on e.tv’s Rhythm City. She took on the role of the sassy, smart businesswoman and sangoma, Ziyanda last year.
She loves playing the strong female role who, she says, has taught her that people in life will always have different sides to them.
“I learn about her as much as other people are learning about her because she’s ever changing.”
Linda says her character has reminded her of the importance of family. Ziyanda has certainly highlighted the depths of family relationships, as she withheld the biggest secret of her life – a son named Zak – because his father is Khulekani, her brother-in-law.
Becoming a writer
Linda has made an interesting transition in her career and she says it’s very important for her that she has more than one talent.
Apart from acting, she’s also a voice-over artist and now has added the title of writer to her list of professional activities.
She tells Drum it’s vital to keep growing.
“Nothing is set in stone and you have to keep exploring.”
As she points out, there are more actors and actresses than there are roles and characters, so an acting job is not always guaranteed.
“As an actor, you have to try to be multi-talented to ensure longevity and sustainability in your career.”
Linda is currently writing for Moja Love’s Erased. It’s not been an easy transition to a writer, she admits, but her hard work and perseverance have been rewarded.
She says she’s very grateful for the support she’s received from the team, and she is delighted that the show has been well received.
“It’s nail-biting and viewers should keep watching to see how the story unfolds,” she adds.
Read more | Linda Sokhulu on her character in Still Breathing: 'I love her attitude and honesty'
A helping hand
A career in the entertainment business would not be easy without a guardian angel by your side. And Linda is quick to acknowledge the help she’s had along the way from her good friend TV producer and writer, Bongi Ndaba.
“Bongi would tell me about auditions and workshops and would inform me when there were characters that were needed that would be suitable for me,” she says.
But even with an angel by your side, you still have to earn your path, Linda says.
“Every time a door was opened for me, I was aware that the onus was on me to do the work and produce quality so other doors would keep opening.”
And her career proves she’s done just that.
Even though she’s loving her new writing brief and is working on perfecting those skills, Linda assures us and her fans she will continue to appear on our small screens as well.
She loves acting and her role of Ziyanda, she says.
