Thandy Matlaila joins the cast of Ring of Lies as she remains a force on the TV screen and in her community
JOBURG — "It breaks my heart to see so many kids being drawn into all sorts of nasty habits because they don't get the support they need from guardians and/or parents."
From playing the ghetto fabulous and very bubbly Cleopatra on Mzansi Magic’s hit show, The Queen, Thandy Matlaila is joining the cast of another acclaimed drama series, Ring of Lies.
Matlaila, no stranger to the screen, takes on a very different role in Ring of Lies – a side that her the fans have never seen before. Her character, Nhlaka (NK) is a prisoner that has to show a great deal of emotion, so switching between Cleo from The Queen to NK on Ring of Lies, was challenging but fun at the same time, said Matlaila.
“Being able to live in three different worlds is truly exciting. There is Cleo’s world, Nhlaka’s world and then mine…and I must not forget mine in all that I do. I joke with my family and tell them I feel bipolar because of all the emotional switches that I had to do, but I must express that this is the one time that I know I have grown as an artist. Being able to be Cleo early in the morning, Nhlaka in the afternoon and Thandy in the evening… but it took a lot out of me emotionally.”
In this industry, it is not easy to juggle many things at the same time but Matlaila finds a way to make it work.
“It makes things easier when your job is your only responsibility, so I was able to give it my all,” she explained. “The only other thing that keeps me busy is my training and church commitments but I have a wonderful team and a supportive family, making everything bearable.”
When she is not entertaining the nation on TV, Matlaila is involved in positive initiatives in the community helping high school girls.
“27 Dresses is an initiative I started four years ago where I honour overachieving matriculants who can’t afford to buy themselves a matric farewell gown. Approaching my birthday, I wanted something unique to celebrate but also something that will be impactful. I also noted that as ‘celebrities’ we can’t wear the same dress twice to a red carpet event and that’s where the idea came from.”
Matlaila saw this as an opportunity to get her celebrity friends involved in the initiative.
“The most special part about it is that on my actual birthday, unless it’s in the week, I host a luncheon for the girls and the dress donors and we all have a beautiful afternoon being pampered and listening to great motivation and music.”
Youth development is something that’s always been close to Matlaila and she hopes to keep making a difference.
“It breaks my heart to see so many kids being drawn into all sorts of nasty habits because they don’t get the support they need from guardians and/or parents.”
She is also a firm believer in women empowerment and self-awareness in order to become the best you can be.
“Self-awareness and knowledge are more important to me than anything else, that’s why I live by the #Z3Code: Zazi, Zithande, Zithembe (Know Yourself, Love Yourself, Trust Yourself),” she concluded.
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