It’s been nearly a year and a half since beloved actress Jessica Nkosi last appeared on South African television following her exit from Mzansi Magic’s The Queen. Now, she is preparing for a highly anticipated return to acting, having taken a break to focus on motherhood and family life.
While she has been off-screen, Jessica has remained active in the entertainment industry, focusing on brand partnerships and influencer work. Among her many ventures, she is particularly proud of her role as a Volvo ambassador, which has allowed her to stay connected with the public while also balancing her personal life.
A Strategic Break from Acting
Speaking to TshisaLIVE, Jessica revealed that her decision to step away from acting was intentional, driven by her desire to be more present in her children’s lives.
“God is so good that I can have other streams of income. While I am not on your screens, there’s other work that I can do because I can still work with brands. I’m really appreciative of that because I love doing that as well,” she shared.
Her ability to attract top brands is something she takes pride in, acknowledging that her public image and professionalism have made her a sought-after influencer.
“I worked hard to be attractive to brands. The way you carry yourself, the way you are—brands are attracted to that. While I am not acting, which is something that takes me away from my children, I love that I can do something where I am present as a mother and a wife,” Jessica explained.
Returning to Her Passion for Acting
Despite her time away, Jessica has never lost her passion for acting. In fact, she has already begun preparing for her return by attending acting coaching sessions to reignite her craft.
“I feel like acting was my therapy. It’s nice to just get out of Jessica Nkosi and dive into somebody else’s body and be obsessed with their lives. I enjoyed that. I studied acting, so it’s where my comfort is,” she said.
She added that reconnecting with her acting roots has been an exciting process, saying, “It’s in remembering the exercises I do before I’d start acting, before each scene … and I felt like I needed to get back into that. It’s like I am back to school.”
Embracing Motherhood and Family Life
During her career break, Jessica has fully embraced being a hands-on mother to her two children. She reflected on how her experience with her second child made her re-evaluate her priorities, leading her to step back from work.
“I don’t think motherhood has changed me much. With my first child, I was at work. I gave birth and in two months I was [back] on set. But with my son, I was just like, it would be nice if I was a bit more present, so I intentionally made the decision to not work,” she said.
She described experiencing everyday parenting moments, such as school drop-offs, as new and fulfilling experiences that she had never had time for before.
“I left the show I was on (The Queen) to focus on my kids. I had never experienced school drop-offs before. Now it’s something I do on a regular basis. It’s been a year and a half. It’s exciting to get back, but I have also been enjoying being a mom,” she added.
Jessica, however, made it clear that her love for acting remains strong, and her comeback is only a matter of time:
“I’m an actor, and the bug will always live inside me. I will be back soon.”
A Private Love Life
Jessica, who married fellow actor TK Dlamini in 2022, remained tight-lipped about her marriage when asked about her personal life.
“I am going to say one line: it’s nice. No elaboration at all. You guys know I’m married, [and] I’m a mother. It is me, but I don’t … you know who my husband is … it’s great. There’s no need. Those who are married know how marriage is,” she said.
Her commitment to privacy regarding her relationship highlights her desire to keep certain aspects of her life out of the public eye, even as she remains a prominent figure in the entertainment industry.
What’s Next for Jessica?
With Jessica confirming that her return to acting is imminent, fans are eagerly anticipating which projects she will take on next. Whether it’s a return to television, film, or even theatre, it’s clear that her passion for storytelling remains unwavering.
As she prepares for her comeback, one thing is certain—Jessica Nkosi is ready to reclaim her place on screen, proving that motherhood and career success can go hand in hand.
