In Control

Child star ITUMELENG BOKABA, 24, channeled her talent and creativity to find a meaningul purpose in life.

- Sisonke Labase

“As a public figure there’s a lot of expectations from fans, especially when you portray sweet characters like the one I currently play on Rhythm City. I’ve grown so much since playing Mampho. Even my character is now getting into her own and moving away from the shadows. However, people don’t expect you to have negative moments, so I feel I have to be nice all the time. I don’t notice the stares or people looking at me when I’m out, until someone actually grabs me. I think it affects my family and friends more because they see it more than I do.

Being on television so young from the YO-TV days, I was jealous of how my friends were so carefree and didn’t have to worry about being judged. I always had to check myself and I never gave myself permission to be a kid. I had an amazing childhood with my brother and my cousin who moved in with us when her mom passed away, so she’s my sister. I was always an energetic child and hyper.

Growing up was lovely because I had lot of kids around me and was the leader of the pack. Even adults adored and coo-ed over me. Life was easy then. The challenges of concentrating and then being diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) only came as I got older. I’m more aware of my illness now as an adult. I don’t deny who I am because I deal with it. But sadly you can’t win either way, whether on medication or not, because there’s the stuggle with things like admin and having a daily routine. I miss the times when my mom used to enforce structure in my life and made sure I had a schedule. That made sure I was a productive person.