Phumeza Mdabe is making her mark in the entertainment industry, writes

SHE'S not a loud, attention-seeking socialite and prefers that her work speaks for itself.

Phumeza Mdabe, formerly Dlwati, is making her mark in the entertainment industry through music, acting and presenting.

Her most recent venture is hosting the Mzansi Magic reality show Our Perfect Wedding.

Born and raised in Joburg, Mdabe (27) has been in the performing arts since childhood and plans to be around for a while still.

"When I was four, my mom took me to a modelling agency.

"Then at 11 I got introduced to a group called Amajika, founded by Tu Nokwe in Jeppestown.

"We did performing arts, dance and poetry, and that's when I knew that's what I wanted to do forever," says Mdabe.

Her record contract with Universal Music in 2007 sealed the deal and introduced her to the Mzansi public.

"That's where it all started and it gave birth to the acting and presenting, but I've since taken a break from music to focus on the other two," she says.

She has since been on shows such as Generations, Sokhulu and Partners and Cula Sibone.

Mdabe describes her career so far as "a great challenge and lots of learning" because she has had no formal training in the performing arts.

"I've had to learn a lot from other experienced actors I have worked with. It's been a challenge, but a good one," she says.

Her most challenging role - and one she thoroughly enjoyed - was that of Sandy, Choppa's religious psycho girlfriend, on Generations.

"I said to myself I am going to nail this thing. The brief for the role was for a strict and focused girl.

"I thought I'd just add something to make it interesting, so I included the psycho element to Sandy and it was a lot of fun."

On Our Perfect Wedding, she follows the bridal couple around as they prepare for their special day, and gets to be part of the drama that is an inevitable part of wedding preparations.

"Personally, I would never do this kind of show.

"It's fun to watch and follow the couples around, but the cameras would be too much for me because I'm so private," says Mdabe.

The newlywed keeps away from the public eye and prefers to be home with her husband, music producer Mnqobi "Shota" Mdabe, and children.

"There is always something to do at home and I prefer that to being on the red carpet.

"I understand that a lot of people may say I'm boring, but to me spending time with my family means the world," she says.

The pair married in a private ceremony attended by close friends and family only.

"If you allow people to be in your personal space and you advertise your relationship to the world, you are giving people permission to comment and talk about the way you live your life.

"It's best to draw the boundaries from the start so that you keep people out," says Mdabe.

Apart from Our Perfect Wedding, she is working on a hair brand for natural hair, since she has struggled to find something that works.

"It's hard to find something suitable for my type of hair.

"I either find something that makes it too oily or too dry. I'm yet to find the right balance, so I decided to create something that will work for me," she says.

She doesn't have a date for the release of the hair products, but she is taking her time trying various things.

In future, Mdabe says she plans to play a bigger role behind the cameras than in front.

When speaking about the entertainment industry in Mzansi, she has a simple motto: "If I'm not working, then I'm not needed there."

• lHer father is German and her mother Xhosa.
• lHer favourite local designer is FabroSanz.
• lShe loves movies and she sings.
• l Playing with her kids is how she relaxed.
• lShe has three siblings, one of whom has died.