WITH a golden horn award now under her belt, Busi Lurayi believes she is slowly but surely paving her way in the film industry.

Born in Thembisa in Ekhuruleni, her first taste of acting was when she joined the musical Sarafina eight years ago. But at that time she was unaware she was carving a serious career for herself.

And a few years down the line, Lurayi rocks up on stage and collects a South African Television Award (Satma) for her lead role in City Ses'la.

She beat serious challengers to the throne, such as Andrea Dondolo and Anthea Thompson. She won for her role as Phumzile in the comedy.

She is a bit cagey as we sit down for a chat about her recent achievement. For days she has been elusive as I tried to trap her for an interview.

Besides a busy schedule, she readily admits that she is a media shy. We met at Mai-Mai eatery in Rosebank just,few hours after she had won her first statutte.

"It has not sunk in yet, but I am excited. When my name was called out I was surprised. I cannot even recall what I said in my acceptance speech.

"However, I cannot say I do not deserve it. I do feel I work hard and deserve an honour for that."

She admits that winning the award means she even has to work harder than before.

"I need to work hard. People will also be watching me to see if I can pull it off."

As the chat drags on, Lurayi loosens up and begins to talk easily about herself. At times she speaks as if she is acting on stage, with a lot of animated expressions and carefully thought-out answers.

She admits that it is her first time doing two interviews in a day.

"With everything happening, I am not sure if I will be able to recognise where to draw the line.

"I do not think that telling the media how I like my coffee will shape me or add any value to what I do.

"The media seem to be focusing on personal lives than celebrating people's careers."

In the new series of Sokhulu and Partners that began this week on SABC1, she plays the cheeky and back-stabbing Winnie Molepo.

She says in the new season the show will focus on Winnie's personal life. This time viewers will be taken into to the deep aspect of her personal life.

She comes from a troubled background and she takes those issues with her to work.

She says one of the biggest lessons she learnt from her role in Sokhulu and Partners is not to judge people if you do not know them.

"It has taught me that you can never understand why people behave the way they do, especially if you do not live with them.

"It has taught me the psychology of a human being. "

She attributes her success in acting to the fact that she has fully familiarised herself with the roles she plays.

"I do separate who I am from my characters but I make friends with them. I talk to myself and make sure I understand and know that character.

"I do not want to be typecast," she adds.

Since she started her acting career in the musical Sarafina in 2003, she has has never looked back.

Her first TV show was City Ses'la, first season.