‘It’s an Answered Prayer’: Londeka Sishi on ‘Uzalo’ Bringing Her Closer to Her Daughter

In 2025, she won the South African Film and Television Award (SAFTA) for Best Actress in a TV Soap for her role as Busisiwe in Scandal, cementing her status as one of the country’s most compelling actresses.

Now, Londeka has joined Uzalo, stepping into the role of Lungsta, the sharp strategist behind the feared Amantaliyane biker gang. Alongside Abdul Khoza’s Ma‑Ten‑Ten, she made her explosive debut, shaking up KwaMashu as the gang tightened its grip on the Mhlongo empire.

For Sishi, this move is more than career growth. As a mother to her daughter, it’s also a chance to balance her artistry with family life. Filming in Durban, KZN, has brought her closer to home, allowing her to merge professional success with the joy of being surrounded by loved ones.

In this BabyYumYum feature, she reflects on how Uzalo became the bridge between her craft and her family. This role is both a career‑defining moment and a deeply personal gift.

What does joining ‘Uzalo’ mean for you at this stage of your career?

Uzalo is like a building block for us in the industry. It’s one of those long-standing TV shows that has built such a strong reputation for itself. It’s stable and it was exciting when they reached out.

But what really excited me was the character. When they pitched the story to me and told me what it was about, I was like, ‘Oh my word, absolutely!’ It’s so different and got me excited. So, it was both the fact that it’s a long-standing, reputable show and the fact that the storyline is incredible.

What has it been like stepping into Uzalo and working alongside a new cast?

It’s been different. One thing that has stood out to me is that I enjoy working with people like Abdul Khoza. He’s amazing. There are people I’ve always looked at from afar and thought, ‘Oh, this person is great,’ and then suddenly you’re working alongside each other. That has been incredibly exciting.

What excites you most about playing your Uzalo character?

She is so bad, but in the most beautiful way. Funny enough, this is the character I have always wanted to play. When it came, I was like, ‘There is no way.’

What lessons do you hope audiences take away from your character?

I would say to grant a little bit of grace where you don’t know, because you may never know what someone is going through until you are in their shoes. I also think people shouldn’t be afraid of going after what they want. She is very driven and focused and you cannot distract her.

You started your television career with Adulting. How did playing Nkanyezi shape your career?

Oh, my word! I haven’t been able to shake Nkanyezi off. People still refer to me as Nkanyezi. She is one of the big characters I’ve played so far. I’ve had some incredible runs, and God has been great in how my career has progressed since then and in the roles I’ve gotten to play. I think Nkanyezi put me on a particular standard that I’ve had to maintain or try to grow from.

I’ve been blessed with the characters and opportunities that have come from that and I think she’ll always be a part of me. I love her, so I’m happy to take her along with me.

You’ve built momentum in a space where opportunities can be unpredictable. How has that shaped your perspective?

I think the industry requires a little bit of wisdom. Very few people can survive solely on industrial work. The industry puts you in a position where you are open to many other opportunities to explore. I always encourage people that when you’re in this space and you’ve created a household brand, use that to do other things. Jobs are few and far between and you don’t want to find yourself becoming oversaturated and taking anything simply because you need the work.

The industry is exhausting. It’s tiring. The breaks in between are important. You can’t move from character to character. After playing a character, you need time to shake it off, find yourself again and prepare for the next one. I’m grateful for the opportunities, but I haven’t taken everything that has come my way. There’s a lot of work I’ve had to turn down because self-preservation is important. I need to be able to show up for my kids. I can’t work to die. I’m working for my kids, so I need to still be able to show up as myself and for my family.

You’ve spoken about protecting your value and setting boundaries. How important has that been throughout your career?

I think I’m a very clear person and my boundaries are very set. There are things I’m simply not willing to negotiate on, like my value.

When I see that a conversation isn’t going how I would like it to, I’m okay with saying, “Maybe this one is not for me.” When I encounter something I’m uncomfortable with, I’m able to speak about it in an amicable way.

What keeps you going in an industry that can be so demanding?

That basically is my why. I have a reason. I love storytelling, but love can sometimes fall a bit short of what sustains it. This industry is very taxing, mentally, emotionally and physically, because you must give yourself in and outside of character. People watch the stories; they relate to the characters you play and fall in love with them. When they need you, they want to find that character in you. So, you’re constantly giving, and that can take a toll.

I think motherhood has been my reason, my pushing force. Why do I do this? Why do I continue to put myself in it? What also influences the characters I choose is that I want every character I play to ultimately have a story and something that you can learn from. That way, when I’m able to have conversations with my babies, I can explain to them why I did this. I can stand fully in it and justify, explain or talk about my work.

You’re now shooting in KwaZulu-Natal and have been reunited with your daughter. How does being back home feel?

God answers prayers in the most beautiful way. I had been wanting to come home for some time. Even if it was only going to be for a season, I wanted to be surrounded by family.

I need grounding because the space that we work in is taxing, especially mentally. It takes so much from you that, if you are not grounded and rooted enough, you can find yourself doing things that you were not supposed to do and being in spaces that are not good. For me, this was an answered prayer.

How has being closer to your daughter changed your day-to-day life?

I basically stay with her now. For the longest time, she’s been at my sister’s house because of the dynamics. I think it made sense at the time, but now I’m looking to be with her permanently. I’m with her at least five days a week. That’s been beautiful. She’s enjoying it. She’s very much a mommy’s girl and she’s always been a mommy’s girl. For her, she’s just like, ‘Mommy.’ I’m also on cloud nine. When I come home after a long day, I’m just like, ‘Oh my goodness, here she is.’

With your career keeping you busy, how are you learning to make more time for her?

It’s something I’m still learning to do. I’m learning to be okay with empty spaces.

I used to panic and feel like if my time wasn’t filled with an activity, then it was wasted. But I’m learning to be okay with time that isn’t allocated to anything specific so that I can do the things that matter, like spending time with her.

I’m able to turn down work now and say, “Actually, no. I’m not available. I need to be here.” Not to do anything, but just to spend time with her.

What has your daughter taught you that you now carry into your acting?

She’s taught me how to notice, which I think is such an important and integral part of what we do. She’s taught me how to pay attention.

She has a way of simplifying moments. She notices things, and the way she articulates how she feels and tells me exactly where she is emotionally has forced me to also pay attention and notice.

In my work now, when I get a story, I’m not rushing to read the character bio or learn the lines. I’m learning to notice the character’s habits and the little nuances — the things about the character that you otherwise wouldn’t pay attention to.

What has been the most rewarding part of motherhood for you?

You learn to love very selflessly. I think for the first time in my life, in motherhood, I finally understand what love is. I’ve chased it in my relationship with my parents, in romantic relationships and friendships, but for the first time now in motherhood, I truly get what love is.

You’re able to love for no reason. You love despite flaws and mistakes. And the kind of love you receive back is incredible. The amount of grace my daughter gives me is insane. I make so many mistakes, but she doesn’t see all of that. The things I beat myself up about and the places where I feel I’ve failed, she doesn’t see. All she sees is someone she adores, celebrates and is proud of.

It’s rewarding because I can’t stay down. I can fall, I can get sad, but I can’t stay down because of the type of love that carries me. It’s magic. I honestly can’t explain it.

How do you encourage your daughter’s creativity while navigating screen time and modern parenting?

I try not to put too much pressure on her. I trust God, who placed her in my care, and I believe I’m equipped to raise her. She’s still a child, so I let her explore, touch, feel, and see the world. My role is to encourage her to be herself. Recently, we even started running together, which is wild for me because I’m unfit, but I try!

I make sure she spends time outdoors, playing and being creative. Instead of constantly saying ‘no screen time,’ I encourage alternatives that keep her engaged and inspired.

Children’s minds want to be filled with things. If you don’t give them things to fill their minds with, they’ll obviously go to YouTube and other things. So, I try to substitute.

Looking ahead, where do you see your career going?

I want to go behind the scenes. I’m working on producing and I’m currently working on some projects. I want to evolve into producing, writing and shooting my own stuff. That’s where I see myself. I don’t see myself being in front of the camera for much longer.

There are some incredible opportunities lined up, and I’m really looking forward to what’s ahead. You’ll still see me on screen from time to time, but I feel I’m ready to step away from being in front of the camera full‑time.