Michelle Mosalakae, born on 14 September 1994, is a 27 years old South African actress, writer and theatre director. She is best known for portraying Zakhithi on Mzansi Magic’s Isibaya.
Biography Profile
Full name: Michelle Mosalakae
Gender: Female
Date of birth: 14 September 1994
Age: 27 years old
Place of birth: Mabopane, Gauteng Province
Nationality: South African
Career profile
Occupation: Actress, Writer, Director
Known for: playing Zakhithi on Isibaya
Social media
Instagram: @mosalakaem
Twitter:
Early life of Michelle Mosalakae
Michelle Mosalakae was born on 14 September 1994 in Mabopane, Gauteng Province in South Africa. She was raised in her town of birth by very loving parents. Michelle who has a condition of albinism, was raised in very loving home and community that made her feel no different from other children. This loving kindness from her society made her believe in possibilities of dreams. She was also never ashamed of her condition and she grew in self love.
“I have wonderful parents. My mother told me I’m not different or less than anyone, she taught me self-love and planted that seed that’s stayed with me. As a person living with albinism you need to find self-love first, irrespective of what other people think. It’s a lesson that was reinforced at school,” she said to News24.
Growing up, Michelle always wanted to become an actor and to make people laugh. It was in high school where she did her first drama and was certain about doing drama as a career.
Education of Michelle Mosalakae
Michelle attended St Mary’s Diocesan School for Girls in Hillcrest, Pretoria. Here she was embraced very well and said “I was surrounded by intelligent people who understand the condition,”. After completing high school she went on to enroll for Drama at Rhodes University. She graduated with honors and was ready to return to Pretoria to begin with work.
Acting career of Michelle Mosalakae
When Michelle returned home she signed up with local agency and went for quite a number of auditions. One of the roles she auditioned for was the role of Zakhithi on Isibaya. After a while she received a call from the Bomb Shelter Production and she praised their appreciation for her as actor and as a person. So Michelle’s debut role on television dramas was Zakhithi on Mzansi Magic’s Isibaya.
In 2018 she was made a brand ambassador of Revlon alongside MTV Base presenter Kim Jayde, media personality Bontle Modiselle and Loot Love. She was the first personal of albinism to become a brand ambassador for the international cosmetic giant. Then she was also casted on Congolese villainess, Kamina on Mzansi Magic’s, The Queen.
As a Theatre director, Michelle directed Reza de Wet’s missing alongside Pumla. The collaborated young actresses like Upile uThixo Bongco, who is also a Rhodes University product. In March 2019, she was nominated for a Naledi Theatre Award for Best Lead performance in a play for her work in Shoes & Coups, directed and written by Palesa Mazamisa. ¹
Personal life of Mosalakae
Michelle is of Christian faith. Her ideal husband is a God-fearing man, someone kind and independent with a healthy dose of confidence and self-drive. She has Albinism a genetic mutation which inhibits melanin production. Michelle is very close to her mother Sarah. She is a Tshwana speaking young woman who is still learning IsiZulu. She loves fashion and to try new hair styles.
African mythology, a contribution to albinos’ discrimination
According to Michelle Mosalakae, African mythological believes are a major contribution to the brutality of people with albinism.
“I understand the complexity and stereotypes that come with albinism that are embedded in our society. The discrimination is based on the belief that certain body parts of people with albinism can bestow magical powers,” Michelle said.
“Such misconception is based on irrational beliefs in some parts of Africa, including South Africa. It has been exploited by witch doctors and others who use such body parts as ingredients in rituals, fabrications and medicines with the claim that their magic will bring prosperity to the user. Because of these cruel and irrational beliefs, people with albinism have been hounded, killed and dismembered, and graves of albinos dug up and ruined. People with albinism have been ostracised because they are presumed to be cursed and bring bad luck,” she explained. ²
