Lights, Camera, Connie!
Forbes Woman Africa|September/November 2018

Connie Ferguson’s success on the small screen has won her millions of fans. She is now looking for billions in the business world.

Karen Mwendera
Lights, Camera, Connie!
 EIGHT SUMMERS AGO, IN A studio in the Northcliffneighborhood of Johannesburg, South African singer and actor Dineo Moeketsi was a bundle of nerves, auditioning for a role in the TV drama series, Rockville.

Judging the audition was actor, entrepreneur and the co-founder of Ferguson Films, Connie Ferguson.

The star, Moeketsi recalls, helped calm her nerves and erase the tension in the air.

“It’s rare to find a woman of her stature, it’s rare to find a woman of her grace, it’s rare to find a woman of her tenacity and prowess,” gushes Moeketsi.

She got the part and her only wish from then on was to spend more time with Ferguson learning her craft.

Moeketsi has since gone on to become one of Ferguson’s protégés and a popular actor herself. She now calls her mentor, ‘mom’.

Ferguson, a mother of two and proud grandmother, is one of South Africa’s most-loved TV personalities. Beyond the grease paint and the glaring lights of the TV studios, Ferguson is also a businesswoman.

On August 10, a day after Women’s Day – honoring the rocky resilience of the apartheid-era heroines of South Africa – we set up time to meet with Ferguson in a small studio in the leafy suburb of Greenside in Johannesburg.

The studio is on a road that is an airy strip of eateries, cafes, shisha parlors and salons.

Ferguson arrives driving a cobalt blue BMW and looking relaxed, in unpretentious floral pants and a casual jacket, profusely apologizing for her lateness.

The first thing you establish as Ferguson walks in is she has no starry airs, warmly greeting everyone in the cold studio.

Nomsa Madida, the makeup artist who has worked with Ferguson for over a decade and regards the star as her ‘idol’, is already present with her elaborate beauty kit open in front of her.

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der September/November 2018-Ausgabe von Forbes Woman Africa.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der September/November 2018-Ausgabe von Forbes Woman Africa.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

WEITERE ARTIKEL AUS FORBES WOMAN AFRICAAlle anzeigen
Well-Grounded
Forbes Woman Africa

Well-Grounded

Coco Cachalia, whose mother Amina was among the 20,000 in the Women’s March of August 1956, made a decision to stay away from politics – and succeed in business instead.

time-read
3 Minuten  |
August-September 2017
Art Becomes Her
Forbes Woman Africa

Art Becomes Her

A celebrated international fine artist, Mmakgabo Helen Sebidi overcame the struggles of apartheid, and her work is grounded in her past.

time-read
3 Minuten  |
August-September 2017
'Not Just Pro-Women But Pro-Progress'
Forbes Woman Africa

'Not Just Pro-Women But Pro-Progress'

South Africa’s Minister of Women Susan Shabangu on the significance of the 61st anniversary of Women’s Day, and the role men can play in ending gender violence in South Africa and creating an equal society.

time-read
6 Minuten  |
August-September 2017
Diversity And Inclusion Are Part Of Baker Mckenzie's DNA
Forbes Woman Africa

Diversity And Inclusion Are Part Of Baker Mckenzie's DNA

According to Law360’s 2017 Glass Ceiling Report, women make up around one-third of the attorneys in private legal practice. Among the law firms surveyed, just below 23% of partners are female.

time-read
3 Minuten  |
August-September 2017
We, Men For Women
Forbes Woman Africa

We, Men For Women

South Africa still has a long way to go for gender justice in business and in life, but with more men openly stepping forward to be a part of the discourse, FORBES WOMAN AFRICA speaks to two male entrepreneurs, a CEO and a social activist. They acknowledge diversity makes smart social and economic sense that will benefit all.

time-read
10+ Minuten  |
August-September 2017
What, After All, Does Feminism Have To Do With Men?
Forbes Woman Africa

What, After All, Does Feminism Have To Do With Men?

According to the seminal African-American writer bell hooks (her name is not capitalized), feminism is for everybody.

time-read
3 Minuten  |
August-September 2017
Blood, Setbacks And Tears
Forbes Woman Africa

Blood, Setbacks And Tears

Two sisters with common failures and a dream to eventually succeed.

time-read
2 Minuten  |
August-September 2017
Fighting To The End
Forbes Woman Africa

Fighting To The End

In May, 82 more Chibok girls were released in exchange for Boko Haram prisoners. Oby Ezekwesili, a strong advocate in the campaign to bring them back, has vowed to never stop fighting. 

time-read
2 Minuten  |
June-July 2017
Not Just Hard Work, But Heart Work
Forbes Woman Africa

Not Just Hard Work, But Heart Work

As incidents of gender-based violence increase in Africa, those like Nigeria’s Kemi Dasilva-Ibru, are trying to bring relief to stigmatized victims.

time-read
5 Minuten  |
June-July 2017
Going Down The Spice Route
Forbes Woman Africa

Going Down The Spice Route

Essie Bartels worked several odd jobs she hated before opening a company selling mouth-watering spices and sentiments to the world.

time-read
4 Minuten  |
June-July 2017