Long after the shelf-life of nearly 100% of actors on television is over, Tshinakaho Mananga has been given an on-screen role on South African prime-time television in SABC2's Muvhango at the age of 96.
The newcomer appears as Vho-Myadzanga, with the 96-year-old gogo who has been added by Word of Mouth Pictures to SABC2's prime-time Venda soap at 21:00.
She makes her appearance when she pops up on the royal chair in the palace and introduces herself to Lindelani.
The character of Vho-Myadzanga serves as a guide to Lindelani, with the two starting off on the wrong foot with a relationship driven by fear although the relationship will change as the story progress.
Tshinakaho Mananga is from Thenzhani village where she lives with her daughter-in-law and grandchildren and ended up getting a TV role on South African television as a 96-year-old after she sent a photograph of herself to try and play an extra on Muvhango when the local soap decided to do some on-location shooting in Venda.
Word of Mouth Pictures was so impressed with Mananga that they decided she could play much more than an extra seen in the background.
"She ticked all the boxes that the production was looking for, which made her the perfect candidate for the role," Word of Mouth Pictures says.
Tshinakaho Mananga says that she "prayed for Muvhango to call me back with a role and shortly my prayers were answered".
According to the production, Mananga is charming everyone with her passion and discipline and excels in her role. "Her breakthrough serves as a glorious reminder that you're never too old to pursue your dreams and when you finally do, give it your best and nothing less."