Tina Jaxa on 4 decades on TV – ‘I let the process, path and journey lead me'
Few can deny the star power and talent exuded by Tina Jaxa over the past 42 years.
She has been on our screens for most of her life but her iconic appearance was in the hit soapie Generations as Priscilla Mthembu. Her subsequent roles as Lorraine Dhlomo in Isidingo and her iconic portrayal of Eve in the sitcom Madam and Eve from its second season also cemented her in the memory of South Africans countrywide. And who could forget her dazzling role as a sangoma in the hit comedy film I Now Pronounce You Black and White?
In recent years, the seasoned actress has been seen in well-known shows like BET's Redemption and 1802: Love Defies Time, showing us that there's still more to see from her.
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Tina shares with TRUELOVE the ins and outs of her decades-long career.
Seasons of love
South Africa has been getting treated to more of Tina's flamboyant flair with the latest expansion in the How to Ruin franchise – How to Ruin Love: The Proposal. This is where Tina transforms into Zoleka's aunt and biggest advocate, Liswa, a free spirit who loves to party and speak her truth.
Touching on what she enjoys the most about being a part of this instalment, Tina says, 'When I listen to my 34-year-old's expectations, I say 'what? No! Why would you want to move that far? Why would you look at those particular elements in a relationship? This is what really matters' and I point all those things out.
'With this project, there are a few lessons that Zoleka should have learnt, which is where my character, her aunt, comes in. The fundamental and authentic way of loving a person should be how they conduct themselves.'
Made for the screen
Whether it's Durban Gen 's no-nonsense Nomvula Jack or the captivating Thembi in Vula Vala, Tina lets the universe guide her on the roles that come her way.
'I let the process, path and journey lead me. I don't think there's a role where I would say, 'I would never do that.' If I were to put those pointers across, then it would not make me a thespian. I would not truly be authentic to my craft because, at the end of the day, that's not who Tina is. That is just another persona, a journey, that I'm bestowed with, which I need to treat with respect without judging it in any way. This is because if you look at all the characters in your life [or] where you've seen movies, someone is going through that,' she explains.
@truelovemagazine The cast of How To Ruin Love: The Proposal give their insight on bouncing back from ruined love ❤️🩹 Watch the four-episode comedy spinoff available now on Netflix! #HowToRuinLoveTheProposal #HowToRuinLove #NetflixSA @Sive Mabuya-Bukani @Netflix South Africa @Bohang Moeko @Noxolo Noxi Dlamini ♬ original sound - TRUELOVE
One role that has impacted her greatly is her South African Film and Television Award (SAFTA)-winning performance in the 2014 series Shreds and Dreams. She plays a hypochondriac mother who discovers that her missing daughter has been suffering unimaginable trauma at the hands of a family member.
When describing the intensity of the show, particularly the scene where the police and medics find the child, Tina reveals that she cried on that day.
'I must have cried for most mothers out there. I took it in deeply but when I was done, that role had affected me for two weeks – to the point where I had to consult with a psychologist. But at the SAFTAs, I won two awards.'
Going behind the scenes
What many people don't know about the award-winning actor is her passion for behind-the-scenes work and executive producing. She has her own production company, Tina Jaxa Productions, or TJP as she calls it.
As with all projects still in the works, much will become known once they've come to fruition but Tina teases us about five shows she and her team are working on. During our interview, she reveals that her co-producers were holding a crucial meeting about the future of the exciting projects coming our way amid her hectic acting schedule.
'I had a deep, meaningful conversation with my agent in Cape Town, asking for three months just to concentrate on TJP. They did and I'm glad that within those three months, we came up with five shows.
'Some of my former bosses are part of them; people like head writers and lead directors; people who have directed me. They also include one of SA's biggest production companies, and I'm about to co-produce with them,' she shares.
This celebrated thespian has shown the true mettle of her lasting power – evolving from behind the scenes to owning her stage.
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