AFTER years of working for the national broadcaster NBC, Jacqui Pickering found herself both in front of and behind the camera writing, directing, producing and starring in some of South Africa’s major soapies that include Generations, Isidingo and Rhythm City.
She left Namibia, together with her family and friends for the US in 1993 but two years later ended up in Cape Town where she pursued a diploma in speech and drama before completing her English Literature degree in 1999. Jacqui has also had the chance to travel the world as well as live in Swaziland, Iran and Nepal. She later moved to Johannesburg in 2006. She also played supporting roles in Hard Copy and Vallei van Sluiers, an Afrikaans soapie. Jacqui is best known for her role as Chichi in the drama series Jacob’s Cross. She also won a Fleur du Cap award for her role in the Baxter Theatre production of Coloured Girls. Jacqui may be very well one of Namibia’s hardest working actresses plying her trade outside Namibia, that you don’t hear about often, so read on to see what she shared with us about her career…
Give us a snapshot of who you are?
I’m a wife, a mother first and foremost, a daughter, a sister, a friend.
Briefly tell us about your upbringing, who would you say played a role in who you are today?
I had a great childhood, we travelled a lot. I grew up in exile in England. My parents always encouraged us to follow our dreams, that everything was possible with hard work and dedication; they were my inspiration because they were both a testament to that.
What triggered your interest in film?
I’ve always been a performer, an entertainer, loved singing and dancing, it was a natural and almost instinctual fit.
Tell us about your experience as co-producer on some of SA’s biggest soapies?
Well a writer on Scandal and Rhythm City, and now a commissioning editor at the SABC for Generations and Isidingo. It’s a privilege and a pleasure to be involved creatively on two properties that are so iconic and have a real place in people’s lives.
The Namibian Film Commission is accused of failing to fund local films, what can be done to ensure that enough resources are available for more local productions?
Namibian filmmakers have to work together and lobby that body to make funds available. That money exists and needs to be ploughed into the training and development of scriptwriters, producers, directors etc.
Not only do you write but star in films as well, do you have any advice for struggling writers and actors out there?
Read, watch films and television. There is some great television out there and there is a real hunger for authentic resonant storytelling – tell your authentic stories, and don’t give up. Attend writing courses, read books and continue to hone your craft. Build relationships with international bodies like the Writers Guilds both in South Africa and across the rest of the world.
What are you currently focusing your energy on?
Well working full time for the SABC I have a lot of very exciting projects in the pipeline; dramas, a sitcom an industry development initiative; the work is varied and challenging and I continue to learn and grow every day.
You lived in various countries, has that had an impact on your philosophy of life, career and person you are in general?
Definitely! I definitely see myself as a global citizen of the world. I do not define myself by my race or gender, and believe we are all one, and that above and beyond all else we have in common our humanity and a need to connect with ourselves and one another.
Your father is a formidable law personality. Would you say you inherited some of his traits?
Definitely. He is a man of great integrity and honour, and I hope that his sense of fair play and justice are just some of the traits I have inherited from him.
What is one life lesson you have learned and would like to share with others?
That life is short; be the best you can be, treat everyone no matter who they are with dignity and respect. And be true to yourself in all things.
Just what do you do for a little fun?
I watch movies, TV, read, hang out with my husband and kids, and sleep.
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Namibia’s star to the world…….Pickering – living her television dream
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