Veteran actress Lydia Mokgokoloshi is well recognized for her roles as Koko Mantsha in the SABC1 soap opera Skeem Saam and the Sepedi drama Bophelo ke Semphekgo.

Fans of the award-winning actress Lydia Mokgokoloshi have wondered why she doesn’t appear in Skeem Saam, where she plays the role of Katlego Peterson’s grandmother Koko Mantsha.

 

Sowetan reported in July 2020 that the legendary actress has taken a break from acting after playing Koko Mantsha since the soap opera’s inception in 2011.The educational soapie revealed to the publication that Mokgokoloshi is still part of the show on a recurring basis, although viewers will see less of her on screen.

The soapie’s spokesperson Sumanya Mogola said: “She will still be in and out of the story. She just won’t be shooting as much as she used to. Our shooting schedule gets really hectic at times and we don’t want to wear her out. She is at a very sensitive age so she needs as much rest, care and comfort as possible.”She took a break from the show in 2020 when her character moved away from Turfloop in Limpopo (where the storyline is predominantly based) to her home.

In 2024, there are rumors that Lydia Mokgokoloshi will return to Skeem Saam following a protracted absence. The source did not provide much information regarding Lydia Mokgokoloshi’s return date, but viewers will be happy to see her return. Lydia was reportedly spotted visiting the offices of the Skeem Saam building in order to discuss renewing her contract.Mokgokoloshi became a household name as the wicked Mma-Nkosheng in the popular 1980s Pedi drama Bophelo ke Semphekgo.Born in the small village of Botlokwa in Limpopo, she was a school teacher for more than 20 years in Soweto.In 2017 Mokgokoloshi was introduced as a “national treasure” as she received the honorary Lifetime Achievement Award at the prestigious South African Film and Television Awards (Saftas).She received the same special honour at Limpopo’s inaugural Film, Arts, Music and Entertainment (Fame) Awards in 2015.

“Thank you to all South Africans. You have loved me so much. I can’t even walk and wherever I walk they all want my photo,” she jokingly said after receiving a standing ovation from her industry peers at the Saftas.

“Thank you to [the] Skeem Saam crew and all those who are playing with me.

“I really feel honoured to be called granny and I feel so proud to be a granny, although sometimes I can be so cruel and injure you with a needle pin.

“If you came into my house without informing, remember you can be somehow.

“I’m so happy and honoured. I honour those who are writing the scripts, dressing us and the production companies.”