Mmabatho Montsho, shining bright

• Published date: 01 April 2022
• Publication title: SowetanLIVE (Johannesburg, South Africa)

The actor/director recently helmed Desmond's Not Here Anymore (aka Desmond), which is causing a fair amount of buzz internationally. The short film, based on an awardwinning screenplay by Lindiwe Suttle MüllerWesternhagen (daughter of veteran talkshow host Felicia MabuzaSuttle) sees Montsho directing Hollywood maestro S Epatha Merkerson and Yolonda Ross

Yet despite making all the right Hollywood moves, Montsho is as grounded as ever. When I ring her one random afternoon, asking if she will grace the cover of SMag, she doesn't hesitate. In the days that follow she's eagerly involved in all the photoshoot planning.

At one stage, she suggests via email that we play around with surrealist fashion as one of our style themes. That idea has to be scrapped at the last minute on the day of the shoot, but Montsho doesn't throw her toys.

She has flown from Cape Town to Joburg the day before specifically to take part in the fashion spread. Cape Town is her temporary home, where she's working on a mysterious TV project.

When I ask her about it, all I can get out of her is that she's writing and directing for the production. She remains tightlipped on set, only laughing as I play guessing games. Let's face it, a large pool of productions shoot in Cape Town, which is the premier film location in Africa. Even Viola Davis, John Boyega, and Thuso Mbedu just filmed their movie The Woman King in the Mother City.

Her older sister Refilwe Montsho, a mirror image of Montsho, rocks up on set while she's in makeup. Refilwe, a contemporary dancer, agrees that her sister has always been a rare breed.

"It is almost impossible to be around her and not be inspired by her grit. I think a lot of people would agree that she sets high standards for herself," Refilwe says. "Mmabatho cares a lot about other people, those in her personal life, and the country at large. She is not impressed by bigotry and doesn't mind the cost of standing up for what is right and what she believes is fair."

In addition to Desmond, Montsho has also directed the films Joko Ya Hao and The Award Ceremony. She's a role model for female filmmakers who doesn't waste time preaching about the work — instead, she has shown countless times that women have every right to be behind the camera.

"Mmabatho is a force in her industry. She did not shy away from her passion for directing and writing, no matter the challenges," Refilwe says. "Because of this, she has become an example for many South African young women who may...