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Nthabi's perseverance pays off in new lead role

It's a quick interview as I meet Nthabi Thomas, who is in a rush to celebrate her birthday.

What better gift than to see her name in lights as one of the lead stars on the new SABC2 drama series Bone of My Bones?

Her star is on the rise.

"See, January 23 is my birthday. I have the day off and would kind of like to spend most of it with family and friends," she shares.

In the drama series, Thomas, from Lichtenburg in North West, plays the role of superwoman Puleng, a Christian woman who is madly in love with her fiancé and their little girl.

Puleng aspires to be an academic and is busy with her medical studies. "Puleng wants to be a doctor and a family woman. I enjoyed playing her. She strives to live a Christian life, just like I do. It was lovely and very rewarding to play a role that is so close to my reality."

After failing to crack it in the acting industry and several auditions, she decided to go backstage - armed with her film and television qualification.

Since 2012 she has been on the production side of things.

She had some small roles in Thandeka's Diary and the drama series Tempy Pushas. "I was part of the coordination in the production of Tempy Pushas and I auditioned actors. The production manager noticed my talent and I had no choice but to confess that my first love had always been acting."

"How Bone of My Bones happened is really a blessing from God," reflects Thomas. "Tempy Pushas was really necessary for me, I had always wanted to act, but because of the repeated rejections in auditions, I always wondered if I was good enough."

Away from the cameras, she works at Lucky Bean, a production company co-owned by Idols SA judge Unathi Msengana.

She freelances as a production manager, but aims to move to greener pastures and become a presenter and production manager.

masemolam@sowetan.co.za