Putla Sehlapelo Reflects on Lessons from His Acting Career

Well-known South African actor Putla Sehlapelo has been acting for the past 25 years but still believes he isn’t the best.

Skeem Saam star has learned many industry lessons. He has made a name for himself but still remains humble.

He is known for his role as Alfred Magongwa on SABC1’s most loved soapie.

The 45-year-old from Limpopo was recently nominated for a Safta under the category of Best Supporting Actor in a TV soap opera.

He told the publication he is grateful for the recognition.

“It’s an honour for me and I really appreciate it. A nomination is as good as a win, so, thank you South Africa,” Putla said.

Asked how his character has impacted his life, he said it didn’t.

“It’s a soapie and you just get used to it. I’m passionate about this thing called acting and it drives me towards the character.”

Putla said he has learned that he can do better.

“The lessons I’ve learned are that there are people to learn from every day. Even though you think you are talented, you’re not as talented as the next person. Even if you’re better, they’re talented differently and there’s something you can always learn from them,” he said.

Putla said he also went through challenges.

“People in the street and the industry think they own you. Whatever they say or want you to do, do it. I treat people the way they treat me. If they point at me, I point back at them. If they scream at me, I scream back because I want you to feel how it feels to be treated a certain way,” he said.

Recently, he joined Mzansi Magic’s Queen Modjadji and explained how he got the role.

“I was asked to come and play in the telenovela. I don’t know what happened, I think it was a social media thing. People wanted to see me because of the video I did where I was speaking Khelobedu and because of death of the queen that I did before. Somehow, it was God’s intervention,” he said.