With her sights set on appearing on TV screens one day, Onwabile Lucwaba, from Mthatha, is carving out a name for herself as a TikTok sensation.
The star-in-the-making, whose love for acting began at university, has garnered the attention of millions of viewers on the global app for her imitations of various creatives in the industry.
Lucwaba works as a debt collector but in her spare time uses TikTok as a platform to showcase her acting talents.
Her debut video, a funeral-themed skit, blew the internet with more than 45,000 likes and 393,000 views.
The Walter Sisulu University graduate pursued a diploma in management and an advanced diploma in public management.
“I started on TikTok out of curiosity, I loved the platform because it gave me a space to express my artistic self.
“In varsity, I was part of drama because I have always been fascinated by acting.
“I found myself a hobby but realised I could do more with the platform,” she said.
The upcoming star joined the global app in 2021, copying other TikTokers.
“I took a break and invested my time in content creation in March.
“I would portray different characters and sing along to different genres of music.”
She said this was her way of working her way to being on TV.
“I see myself in TV, TikTok is very fast and very influential, you can easily reveal your talents, not in a serious way, and still win.
“I have received comments from different people saying I should venture into acting, which means they can see that I am talented.
“I believe I am destined for something big.
“When I started creating content, I always told myself to be consistent.
“I believed one day there’s going to be one video that’ll make me recognised, and it came to life.
“Everything I do is intentional, I am an intentional person and I have always known that everything I do would become a success,” she said.
The multitalented artist said she decided to use what she had to get recognised.
“I’m hoping one day to get into the acting industry and that someone recognises my talent.
“But I do know I can’t fold my hands and wait for someone to see me without trying, so this is me trying.”
Outside her acting career, Lucwaba said she was also making a name for herself in music.
“I am also a songwriter and I am using the platform to show what I can do.
“I have always been a bubbly and curious person.
“In high school, singing in school choirs and in church was my life.”
Lucwaba said her parents supported her dreams.
“I use my mom’s and dad’s clothes for my videos.
“I use wigs from my mom.
“My favourite item is a black blazer from my dad that transforms me into some character.
“My family has accepted and loves my videos, they can see inasmuch as this is a joke, something beautiful comes out of them [videos].”
She said juggling between work and her passion was no easy task, but her dream continued to motivate her.
“I work from home and create my content during my lunchtime, if I am not making supper or I am cooking a light meal, I also use the time to create content.”
The content creator said the key was persistence.
“You have to be intentional about your content creation, your videos must excite you.
“Most of the time I go back and watch my own videos and they are hilarious, I also laugh at them.”
DispatchLIVE
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