Mohale breaks barriers in media and creative arts

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Local media personality and actress Matšeliso Mohale, who has starred in several South African hits including Muvhangho and Showmax’s OutLaws, is a determined and strong-willed girl.

In honor of African Women’s Month,lesotho times(Left)reporter, SunselikoThis week, we caught up with Ms. Mohale to get some insight into her artistic dynamics as one of the women making waves in the local art scene.

Ms Mohale wears many hats. She is a lecturer at Limkokwing University of Creative Technology (LUCT) and runs a media production company, Mohale Media Productions, which she founded and is also the communications director.

Ms. Mohale also works in the media industry as a professional corporate communications expert, audio-visual multimedia producer, digital marketing expert, actress, film producer, director and screenwriter.

In addition, she has an impressive academic resume in media-related studies.

She holds a Master of Arts and Communication Sciences from Limkokwing University of Creative Technology (Botswana) (2015 – 2018), a Bachelor of Arts in Professional Communication from Limkokwing University of Creative Technology (Lesotho) (2008 – 2012), a Bachelor of Technology in Computer Education and Training (Lesotho) (2005 – 2006) and a Certificate in Information Technology.

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Left: As a woman and role player in the media and creative arts, what challenges do you think women in the industry face and how can they be addressed?

hero: In my experience, sexism often makes women feel unappreciated. It’s as if we are always expected to seek approval from men.

The underrepresentation of women in decision-making roles is a significant problem; our opinions are rarely taken seriously unless they are supported by men.

There is also the painful reality of lower pay. It is so frustrating to do the same job, or even perform better, but get paid less just because we are women.

Another serious issue is sexual harassment, which we sometimes call “couch casting.” This issue has ruined many careers; there are people who aspire to be in the industry, and because they are women, they feel pressured to compromise their integrity to get ahead. I always encourage young people to stay away from this path.

Lastly, balancing personal life and work is a real challenge. As women, we have extra responsibilities at home and it’s hard to juggle everything effectively.”

Left: What do you think of the representation of women in the media, both in front of and behind the camera?

hero: No matter how skilled you are in the workplace, you will never be respected as much as a man.

I remember speaking to other female directors in South Africa who were on the verge of resigning because their advice was always seen as a secondary option, to be considered only when male directors failed.

There is a clear gender inequality; existing structures and frameworks indicate that leadership roles are primarily designed for men

Left: What role do you think female storytellers play in changing societal narratives and perceptions?

hero: The truth is, women are better storytellers—it’s a skill we’re born with.

As women, we have a special affinity with our children. Whenever they have a problem, they turn to “Mom” for help.

This connection allows us to understand each situation, which in turn enables us to tell these stories more effectively.

Left: What is the work culture like at Mohale Media Productions and how do you promote inclusion and diversity within your team?

hero: In my office, gender doesn’t matter. I only look at seniority. Whoever is best suited for a role – whether it’s behind the camera or somewhere else – gets the assignment. There’s no strict division of labor; we work together as a team. So, in my environment, gender makes no difference.

Left: Have you collaborated with other women in the media or art world? Can you talk about the importance of these collaborations?

hero: I have worked with many women but it’s not always collaborative because it’s usually not in line with my approach.

I am a passionate, goal-driven person and sometimes others may not share my views, which drives me to keep going. I have had the privilege of working with many women, even outside of the media industry.

For example, I received sponsorship for a project launch, “Endurance Films,” where Bela’s Boutique provided the beautiful dresses and another woman did the decorating. When women work together, we can create something extraordinary, and I hope that continues.

Left: What advice would you give to actresses or media professionals who aspire to establish themselves in the creative arts industry?

hero:Ouch!Dog eats puppy(It’s a David and Goliath environment). People really fight. I persevered because of my passion. Our industry is still in its ‘start-up phase’ in Lesotho and being a woman, especially as an actor in a field that many consider a hobby, adds another layer of complexity – we still have a long way to go, both in entertainment and journalism.

Women in this industry face challenges like lack of funding, inequality, and sexual harassment, so we need to learn how to address these issues.

I’m not sure if we will win in the end. But I know I will keep working hard until I reach the top. I won’t let these challenges change what I love. Get ready!

Left: Can you share a major challenge you faced in your career and how you overcame it?

hero: Shifting the focus away from being a woman, I want to talk about the lack of funding and support.

It’s a tough industry to be in and people often discourage me by saying things like ‘this is Lesotho, you won’t make it here’.

They insisted that I needed to be “Mr. So-and-so” to be successful in the industry. It was discouraging, but I wouldn’t let that stop me. I believed in my vision and was determined to carve my own path.

Left: Which project or role in your acting career are you most proud of and why?

hero: I am proud of every scene I create and never underestimate every character I create. However, I still remember the first character I created. Although it was small, it left a deep impression on me.

I amTsasaa wonderful film directed by Ntate Pj Makosholo. I was completely immersed in the character and felt his presence: my emotions, including my tears, were deeply rooted in the character’s portrayal.

It was early in my career in the industry and I faced many challenges at the time, but that role stood out to me.

I believe you should never take small roles for granted. I have also had the opportunity to work on productions I never thought I would be a part of, such as Muvhango, Nikiwe and Outlaws.

Even the roles I played in Bophelo and Ts’asa meant a lot to me. Every role, no matter how small, helps me grow and learn on this journey.

Left: As an actor and media entrepreneur, how do you feel about criticism?

hero: Criticism has shaped who I am today. I have learned that what others say about me is ultimately none of my business.

As long as I’m happy with my work, that’s all that matters. No matter what the situation is, people will always talk.

I welcome constructive criticism that helps me grow, but I filter out the noise that doesn’t serve my purpose.

What I do know is that I put my heart and soul into everything I do and give it my all – 100%. So if anyone wants to criticize me, they’re really just wasting their time. I’m unstoppable and I refuse to let negativity hold me back.

Left: What are your future goals for your production company and how do you plan to achieve them?

hero: I love my country, but the truth is I might consider moving somewhere else to pursue my career opportunities.

It is always a difficult decision. Leaving the country in search of better prospects is a difficult journey for many, but for us Basotho, the challenge is even greater. It feels like we are always so connected to our roots that it is difficult to completely leave and never come back.

But I would very much like to see our media industry flourish. I dream of the day when my studio is fully equipped and the government invests in the arts.

It is time for our leaders to recognize the potential in the arts sector. While funding is being directed towards agricultural projects during this critical period of global warming, we need to shift our focus.

The entertainment industry is a viable way to generate income. It is so frustrating to see our beautiful landscapes featured in movies while those of us with such talent do not get support.

All we need is funding to prove that this industry can indeed make a significant contribution to the national economy.

Left: How do you see the future of women in media developing over the next five to ten years? What changes would you like to see?

hero: I believe deeply in the power and potential of women. We are destined to succeed because women are natural leaders; we manage our families and communities with resilience and grace.

This is not to disrespect men, but to acknowledge the power and abilities that women possess.

It is vital that we stop hating each other and start collaborating and supporting each other. By working together we can achieve a lot.

From food production to entertainment and more, we have the potential to be self-sufficient and not dependent on South Africa or anywhere else.

Our leaders need to embrace women’s contributions and actively include us in the decision-making process. If they do this, I firmly believe that our country’s economy will be transformed dramatically in the next 5-10 years. Women are powerful and together we can make a lasting impact!