How real-life encounters shaped Kanyi Nokwe's Soft Life character

Described by Daily Sun as the "Soft Life actress on everybody's lips," Kanyi Nokwe captivated audiences as the charming yet stern Lady T in the Showmax Original series. A musical theatre graduate and Naledi Award nominee, Kanyi has built a thriving career, with standout performances as Nomasomi in Mzansi Magic’s 1802: Love Defies Times and as Nomzamo in Mzansi Magic’s Lavish.

In Soft Life, she plays Zam’s (Mampho Brescia) right-hand woman, overseeing the daily operations of NubiaBlaq, an establishment that serves as a front for an escort agency.

Watch the trailer for Soft Life

With Soft Life now available to binge on Showmax, Zibuyile Dladla sat down with Kanyi to discuss how her personal experiences helped shape her portrayal of Lady T.

What’s the greatest lesson that the Lady T character has taught you about womanhood?

Self-control. Discipline. Stoicism. And always showing up as the best version of yourself. Also, discretion - discretion is so important as a woman. People don’t need to know everything about you. 

How did you bring a sense of authenticity to the Lady T role, especially considering how far it is from your personal experience?

When you are cast in a role and go through the audition process, you naturally start to create that character by finding aspects of them that are hidden aspects of yourself.

My personality may be very different from Lady T’s, but as human beings, we are multifaceted and dynamic. There are various shades within us - both light and dark.

I am never afraid to explore my darkness and find ways to safely channel it into storytelling. That, in itself, is a form of authenticity. It’s still me, just a different side of me that doesn’t need to be seen by everyone. I was lucky to have the opportunity to display that this time around.

I’m assuming doing research on your character was quite complex as information about women such as Lady T in the real world is not readily available. How did you manage to do your research on the character and the work she does?

This was purely based on life experience. I attended the National School of the Arts in high school, and I had to catch buses in Hillbrow. The pimps at my bus stop used to protect me, so I became well-acquainted with them and with the prostitutes as well. That gave me a front-row seat to the realities of sex work.

And when you grow up in Johannesburg, you inevitably get exposed to club culture. I’ve had experiences where I was approached by the likes of real-life Lady Ts. 

So life experience is really tied into this role. I didn’t have to fabricate anything or rely on second-hand accounts - this is a story I know because, in different ways, it has been part of my own lived experience.

Do you think South African men are ready to have honest conversations about dating women with lifestyles similar to Owami's?

South African men are already having these conversations. They’re just not having them on public platforms, but rather in private. These discussions are happening, and they are dating these women. The conversations are there; you just have to be in the right rooms.

Most men pride themselves on dating go-getters and high achievers. And if you truly understand men, you’ll realise that the means don’t matter as much because, at the end of the day, everyone is simply trying to make ends meet. 

In a parallel universe, what would be that one question Kanyi Nokwe would want to ask Lady T and why that particular question?

I’d love to ask Lady T why she is still working for Zam and why she hasn’t started her own agency.

More importantly, I’d want to ask her what she envisions for her life beyond being a handler. I have a feeling that she is so much more than just a handler. Her ability to fix things is fascinating, and I’d love to know where she truly sees herself.

What would you say was the most rewarding experience about working on Soft Life?

Definitely working with the incredible cast as well as the directors, Nthabiseng Mokoena and Nozipho Nkelemba - they are absolutely amazing. It was beautiful to have two different perspectives from both directors.

Back to the cast: they were so skilled and patient, and had a clear vision for the execution of the story we were telling. 

Also, I had an incredible crew, and I never take working with a great crew for granted. That, for me, is such a blessing.

What would be your ideal character to play next?

I would love to see our industry start creating movie musicals. As a musical theatre-trained artist, I think it would be incredible to tell our stories in that format. It’s a market we really need to tap into.

That being said, I’d love any leading role where I get to sing. Ideally, I would love to portray Mam’ Letta Mbulu in a film about her and Bab’ Caiphus Semenya’s story.

People should binge-watch Soft Life S1 because…?

We are tackling socio-economic issues that are deeply relevant.

It’s important for people to understand that sex work isn’t always a choice - it’s often a necessity. There is a need that has to be met. People need to develop more empathy for sex workers, and I personally believe sex work should be legalised to provide them with protection.

No one should be ostracised for trying to take care of their family. The unemployment rate in our country is dehumanising - it forces people into corners where they have to compromise their humanity just to survive. Soft Life shines a light on that reality in a beautiful and compelling way.

All the episodes for Soft Life are ready to binge-watch on Showmax.