Lerato Marabe, a South African actress, has spent over half her life portraying Pretty Seakamela on the popular TV show Skeem Saam. She started as a child star at the age of 11 and has now grown into a woman, both on and off screen. Marabe's journey on the show has been a long and eventful one, with her character evolving from a teenage schoolgirl to a wife. This transformation has allowed Marabe to grow as an actress and as a person.
In an interview with The Sowetan, Marabe reflected on growing up alongside her character, Pretty. She described it as a "warm and fuzzy feeling," likening it to having a twin. Marabe said that she and Pretty have experienced similar highs and lows, making their relationship special. She added that there are moments when she looks at Pretty's life and realizes how far they have come. This connection with her character has made Marabe's acting more personal and relatable.
Marabe credited her personal growth for influencing her portrayal of Pretty. She said that as she experienced different things in life, she started understanding Pretty differently. This allowed her to bring new emotions to her character's experiences, making them feel more authentic. Marabe's growth as a person and an actress has been evident in her performances, with her character's storylines becoming increasingly complex.
One storyline that significantly impacted Marabe as an actress was Pretty's abortion storyline. She described it as emotionally heavy and a turning point in her career. Marabe had to dig deep and trust herself as an actress to carry the demanding storyline. This experience brought out a new side of her acting, one that she didn't know existed. It also taught her to have faith in her abilities and to be more confident in her craft.
Fifteen years on Skeem Saam have been a journey of self-discovery and growth for Marabe. She said that it has proven to her that God is faithful and keeps His promises. Marabe never imagined that her career would grow as big as it has. She started acting at the age of five and was only excited to be on television, not thinking about where it would take her 15 years later. These past 15 years have taught her many valuable lessons that she can now pass on to younger actors.
As Marabe approaches playing a more mature version of Pretty, she has had to do extensive research and seek advice from her married friends. She said that playing someone who is entering a new stage of life has forced her to think differently and expand her perspective. Marabe has had to consider situations from a married woman's point of view, rather than reacting like the younger Pretty might have. This has allowed her to grow as an actress and bring more depth to her character.
Looking back, Marabe would give her 11-year-old self a big hug and tell her that the journey won't be easy, but they will prosper. She would advise her younger self not to take people's opinions too seriously and to love her unique voice. Marabe's journey on Skeem Saam has been an inspiration to many, and her advice to young actors is to stay true to themselves and not be afraid to be different.
Key points
- Lerato Marabe has spent 15 years playing Pretty Seakamela on Skeem Saam, growing up on screen and evolving as an actress.
- Marabe's personal growth has influenced her portrayal of Pretty, allowing her to bring new emotions to her character's experiences.
- The abortion storyline was a turning point for Marabe as an actress, teaching her to trust herself and have faith in her abilities.
