Mampho Brescia on her “morally corrupt” character in Soft Life

Isibaya star Mampho Brescia returns to the small screen in Soft Life, the latest Showmax Original, which premieres soon on Showmax. 

Mampho plays Zam, the owner of NubiaBlaq, a cover for an escort agency. She takes on Owami (Zizipho Buti), who plunges into the secretive world of high-society companionship in a bid to settle her mother’s rising medical bills. Fearful that her new profession could shatter everything she holds dear, Owami must keep her dual life hidden. 

“Zam to me is a hustler,” says Mampho. “She’s created her own world to succeed and thrive and she’ll do whatever it takes to sustain the lifestyle that she wants. She’s a bit sordid and morally corrupt.” 

The actress says this description of Zam piqued her interest. “Zam’s way of life gives for a really rich character because you then wonder why? What happened to her? Why would she decide to embark on such an interesting career line? But you then come to realise that she’s a woman who’s found herself in a world that has been controlled by men and so she is asserting her femininity and her role as someone that’s powerful and won’t be controlled.”

For Mampho, Soft Life can be enjoyed for both its entertainment value and as a reflection of the lengths to which people will go to either achieve the finer things in life or to support their families. 

“There’s been this need for women in particular to have a soft life, but how to get that soft life has just been twisted, especially with the erosion of the family unit,” says Mampho. “There’s this quote I once saw: ‘We’re all whores.’ Men and women. It just depends on what part of you you’re selling. Whether you’re selling your soul, body or mind, we’ve all found ourselves in a race where everybody is selling something in exchange for that soft life. For me, the quote is also a reminder not to judge the character based on my personal beliefs but to give her the right to live her truth.”

Katlego Lebogang (Spinners) plays Zinhle, the queen bee at the escort agency, with Kanyi Nokwe (Lavish) as Lady T, Zam’s right-hand woman. 

“Working with this cast has been nothing short of amazing,” says Mampho. “Kanyi is such an ethereal being and Katlego is this amazing ball of energy. It was so beautiful for me to witness these young, passionate and very educated artists give their all in what I believe is going to be one of the most talked about shows for this last quarter of the year.”

Soft Life also features SAFTA winners Boikie Pholo, Motshabi Tyelele, and Nambitha Mpumlwana; Royalty Soapie Award nominee Ayanda Daweti; African Movie Academy Award nominee Chumani Pan; Naledi Breakthrough Performance nominee Zimi Mphefu; and newcomer Nontsikelelo Ndzume​. 

Zam is Mampho’s meatiest role since she wrapped as Iris Zungu on Isibaya eight years ago.  “I’m so excited about being on the small screen again and connecting with the South African audience,” says Mampho. “I’m also excited that Soft Life is going to be on Showmax – I feel like the platform is so representative of Africa as a continent and the diversity that is our nation.”

Soft Life premieres with three episodes on 2 December 2024, with a new episode every Monday until 10 February 2025.

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