As someone who does not generally watch football, actress Jo-Anne Reyneke has learnt quite a lot from her role in Mzansi Magic series, Champions.
Soccer Laduma spoke to the Champions actress, who works with former Orlando Pirates goalkeeper Brighton Mhlongo on the same show.
As an actress in the series Champions, how do you feel about the role you are playing and what are you getting out of it in terms of learning more about football?
It's been great getting involved in a show like Champions. I've really enjoyed it. As an actor, I have heavily relied on the knowledge of the writers who create the character and decide how this person feels and what they say. I just portray a girl who is in the world of football. It's an exciting new world for me. I am hearing and seeing quite a lot of new things and learning a bit more. Football has never been a big interest, but it's big in my family. My brother and mother love it, but it never transferred to me. My mother was a staunch Pirates supporter and my brother was a Chiefs supporter. It was very interesting when they were playing against each other. They would wear their t-shirts and they would take it very personally if they win or lose.
What are some of the things you'd say you are learning?
Now I know what the 18-area is. This whole time I thought they were saying the A-team area. I found I've been making lots of mistakes. But I've learnt how teams are put together and how buying and selling players works. It's quite interesting.
Your role on the show is of a powerful women within a football club. How important is it to have such roles being portrayed on television to show that women can also take up on big roles in football?
I think it's very important. When I saw Jessica Motaung in real life and how feminine she was, you'd expect for a woman in that world to be a bit more manly, but she is still quite feminine, soft and put together and beautiful. She knows her stuff so well that you can't help but respect, whether you are male or female. I remember thinking that if I had known a Jessica growing up, I might have taken an interest in football, but for me it felt like such a guys' thing. I feel like there is space for women almost everywhere.
Your role basically portrays Jessica Motaung?
Yes, that is who I was given as a character study, but she is quite a private person, so it's almost impossible to know how she would handle situations in her personal life, so that's what you fill in yourself as an actor and you just put yourself in their shoes. You just try portray close to the truth as possible.
You for with former Orlando Pirates goalkeeper Brighton Mhlongo on Champions. Is there anything he brings that you learn about the game of football?
He is a wonderful guy and it's been lovely working with him. Unfortunately, we don't get a lot of scenes together, but I do see a lot of the other actors refer to him quite a lot to ask if a certain line is correct or if that's really how it's done. I know that they lean on him quite a bit for his football knowledge because he has actually been involved.
