Bahumi Mhlongo is intentional about her acting career, as she announced graduating from University after years of studying acting.
The 27-year-old has a great and influential antecedent, yet she’s not willing to ride on that, as she wants to build her career with her hands.
Her late grandmother, Mary Twala was a legend and great actor who bagged various awards, her father, Somizi is also a stunning entertainer and her mother Palesa Madisakwane is also an actress, hence, it could be said that the young woman is privileged.
Speaking to SowetanLIVE about her career, she said:
“Although I was nervous about taking on this character at the beginning, when I got to learn a bit about her, I realised that we are very much different but also similar in our stories and I think that made it easy for me to carry her out on screen.
“I am not sidelined by my family, never, but I do know that I have a lot to prove, and venturing into the very industry that they have all been in is quite the pressure. So it is those similarities that helped a lot,” she said.
“I am so excited and equally honoured to be part of this cast. I am very much aware of the pressure just because of who my parents are but it doesn’t get to me as it would have in the past. The pressure only fuels my drive and it doesn’t suffocate me but it pushes me.
Bahumi also dismissed assumptions that she’s familiar with legends in the industry.
“There might also be assumptions out there that maybe I don’t get star-struck but I do. Not in the overt way, I guess but when I find myself in rooms with giants of the industry, one can’t help to be humbled and be in awe.
One of the veteran actors she adores is mam’Lillian Dube.
With all of these said, Bahumi says she’s confident in her acting skills, as she’s gotten better.
