Navigating life’s ups and downs with Generations star Sophie Ndaba

Sophie Ndaba, an actress, entrepreneur, and wellness and diabetes advocate, speaks to Relebogile Mabotja about her health challenges, family, and staying power.

Listen below.

Renowned South African actress Sophie Ndaba, best known for her iconic role as Queen Moroka in Generations, recently joined Relebogile Mabotja on 702 for an inspiring and heartfelt conversation.

Ndaba opened up about her acting career, her journey in overcoming personal challenges, and her perspectives on navigating the entertainment industry.

She also spoke candidly about her comeback, highlighting her continued passion for acting and storytelling.

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On being a role model

Mabotja remembers how as a young actress, with a bit-part in Generations, she looked up to Ndaba as an experienced actress in the industry.

"I just remember looking up to you so much. The words you use around people younger than you are so powerful," she says.

Ndaba says she takes her position as a role model seriously.

"It's very, very important that when you have kind of made it, you have to pass on the baton. It's about the inspiration, the vision to say, 'Let's work hard.'"

- Sophie Ndaba

On being tabloid fodder

Ndaba recalls that at the height of her career, she would appear frequently on the front pages of the newspapers.

She says she once received a call from a newspaper editor who told her, "I have just written a headline ka wena."

"And I said, you've just written a headline? And he said, 'Wena wa rekisa' (you are selling), so when you want a favour or something, just come to me I'll write any headline you want."

- Sophie Ndaba

"We kind of knew how to sue them [newspapers] but we didn't really! You'd just complain to your friends and say, these are evil people."

- Sophie Ndaba

On defining what success and purpose mean to you

Ndaba says she makes a point of cultivating gratitude every day and not waiting for external validation, but rather giving herself positive affirmations and uplifting self-talk.

"I don't think it's about the flowers. I think you have to take control of your own life and create a legacy for your children, for your family... I think too often you're waiting for somebody to tell you that you're great and I think we need to evolve from that mentality."

- Sophie Ndaba

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