We've seen her embody the career-woman and single mom that is Black Tax’s Thuli Dlamini and the poised businesswoman Lwandle on The Estate.
In the male-dominated world of soccer, Jo-Anne Reyneke now takes on the role of Sne Modise - the headstrong, ambitious and resilient daughter of football player-turned-entrepreneur Washington (played by Sello Maake ka-Ncube) in Mzansi Magic’s newest telenovela Champions.
Jo-Anne’s character, Sne, is thrust into the challenge of managing her father’s football club Soshanguve Giants FC after an intense pilot episode that sees how she journeys through the challenges of proving herself amid the difficulties of gender norms.
Not to mention, a steamy romance with the football club’s star player Ferrari (played by Thembinkosi Mthembu).
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Taking on Sne’s character in the drama series is something that Jo-Anne tells TRUELOVE is quite different to her previous roles, and this is what she enjoys the most about embodying the character.
“I found myself playing a lot of older women, married women with children and Sne has helped me get in touch with my youth. I am a mom as well and I am leading an adult life and as much as she is as well, she’s not held down by a marriage or by children.
“She’s still a single girl trying to find her way in life and it’s helping me to get in touch with my youth too and not treat myself as the old woman that my characters have made me think I am.”
As excited as she is to revisit her youth through Sne, a role like this, Jo-Anne admits, is slightly out of her wheelhouse.
“The challenges I’ve had to overcome with playing Sne is going against my natural instincts. I guess because I’ve spent so much time playing older women, mature instincts have become second nature to me,” she explains.
“But Sne, she wears her feelings on her sleeve, she explodes when she’s feeling frustrated, she’s not afraid to raise her voice and those are all things that are not part of my instincts.
“When I get angry, I get really quiet so it’s genuinely forcing me to step out of myself to play this woman and fully play her. But I was just very nervous about truthfully telling her story and not letting myself seep into my portrayal of Sne.”
Jo-Anne’s extensive acting experience lends itself swimmingly to Sne’s character. It also helps to be supported by a stellar cast of actors including Kgomotso Christopher, Kwenzo Ngcobo and Tumisho Masha.
Sharing who she has gotten closest to on set, Jo-Anne says, “We’ve been lucky to have very friendly, drama-free people in our cast so I’m close with everyone. But the person who I’m working with for the first time and have formulated a very deep friendship with is Tumisho Masha.
“He is just the most generous person with his energy. He’s always got a smile ready; he’s always got his arms open ready for a hug. He feels like such a safe bigger brother for me on set and, ja, absolutely love him to bits.”
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It’s hard to believe that the 35-year-old is already marking off 15 years in entertainment. Throughout her lengthy career, Jo-Anne takes inspiration from other industry veterans who have shaped the lessons she’s learnt over her time in entertainment.
“I have modeled quite a lot of my behaviour after older actors that I have had the privilege of working with. If I had to pick one, it would be usis’ Sindi Dlathu,” she reveals.
“I absolutely admire her, she is one of my favourites and that is on and off set. I’ve watched her closely, I watched how she talked to crew members, I watched how she talked to extras, catering. Absolutely everyone is given the same amount of respect and attention. She does not change who she is depending on who she is talking to and she’s never late and very easy to direct. So, those are the things that I’ve now made part of my reputation.”
Jo-Anne’s professional nature and considerate attitude is evident in how she approaches every set she steps onto for every role she takes on.
Describing how she aims to uphold the same level of respect for each cast and crew member she comes across, Jo-Anne says, “I always keep time because I’m not the only one waking up at these ridiculously early hours, there’s a bunch of us waking up and if I respect them, then I will wake up at the right time and get to work on time. Always know your work.
“Arrive on set ready with an offering or something you’ve prepared at home and then duet with the director and be easy to direct, which means be malleable. Do not fix yourself too hard into the planned performance that you planned at home because you don’t know what your co-star is going to bring on set. And be friendly, genuine and kind to absolutely everyone you come across and that’s what I try to do.”
Very intentional about not only keeping her personal life private but also her next steps in the industry, Jo-Anne shares that the best piece of advice she has received is to not share your next move.
“Move in silence, let the people speak only of your work and very few people should know who you really are and details about your personal life. So, I’ve always been private and I will keep being that way.
“I do love and enjoy only being known for my characters and people probably think I’m similar to these women that I’m playing, but I’m nothing like them and that’s my favourite thing, is when people see me in real life and they realise I’m a tomboy and I don’t wear dresses or high heels. But ja, that's the best piece of advice, is to keep what's private to self.”
