TV star Gabisile Tshabalala says stepping into the role of Thokozile on Inimba has been more than just another acting job — it’s been a journey of self-discovery.
Speaking about her character on the popular drama, Tshabalala said playing Thokozile allowed her to confront parts of herself she hadn’t fully faced before, both as a woman and as an artist.
“Thokozile is layered, she’s hurting, she’s hopeful, and she’s fighting,” Tshabalala said. “In trying to understand her, I ended up finding pieces of myself.tshabalala is no stranger to South African television. Over the years she has built a reputation for strong, memorable performances in dramas that tackle real social issues.
But she says Inimba demanded something different. The show, which explores family secrets, tradition, love and betrayal, gave her a character with emotional weight and moral complexity.
Thokozile is not written as a perfect heroine. She makes mistakes, she carries generational trauma, and she is constantly trying to choose between what’s expected of her and what she actually wants.
“That’s what drew me to her,” Tshabalala explained. “She’s not one-dimensional. She’s messy in the way real people are messy. And I think audiences connect with that.
As she worked through Thokozile’s storylines — dealing with loss, pressure from family, and the search for independence — she says she saw reflections of her own experiences and those of women around her.
“There were scenes where I would go home and just sit with it,” she said. “Because Thokozile was asking questions I’ve asked myself. About forgiveness. About starting over. About choosing peace over pride.”Acting can sometimes be about protecting yourself. But with Thokozile I had to drop that. I had to let her pain and her joy come through me.”
The result, she believes, is a performance that feels honest. Fans have already taken to social media to praise her portrayal, calling Thokozile “relatable” and “real.”
Why Inimba resonates
Inimba has quickly become one of the most talked-about dramas on South African TV. The show blends traditional storytelling with contemporary issues, and it doesn’t shy away from difficult conversations around gender, family expectations, and healing.
“I wanted to be part of something that makes people talk at the dinner table,” she said. “Something that makes a gogo and a granddaughter watch together and both see something of themselves.”
The series has also given her a chance to work with a cast and crew she describes as “fearless.Looking back at her career, Tshabalala says Thokozile represents a new chapter for her.
Earlier roles helped her build her craft, but this one challenged her to go deeper emotionally.
“I’ve played strong women before. But Thokozile taught me that strength isn’t always loud,” she said. “Sometimes strength is crying and still getting up the next day. Sometimes it’s saying no. Sometimes it’s choosing yourself.”
Without giving away spoilers, Tshabalala hinted that Thokozile’s journey is far from over. Upcoming episodes will test the character’s relationships and force her to make hard choices about love, loyalty and legacy.
“I think viewers are going to see her get even more layered,” Tshabalala teased. “She’s going to fall, but she’s also going to rise. And I hope people see themselves in that rise.
At a time when South African television is pushing for more authentic, locally rooted stories, Tshabalala believes Inimba is proof of what’s possible.
“It’s our stories, told by us, for us,” she said. “And when you get to play a character like Thokozile, you don’t just act. You learn. You heal. You grow.
“Thokozile gave me pieces of myself back,” Tshabalala said. “And I hope in return, I’ve given her life in a way that honors every woman trying to find herself too.”
