Dawn's shocking prediction about Shaka iLembe!

ACTRESS Dawn Thandeka King has become one of Mzansi's most respected talents, and according to her, the key to her longevity in the entertainment industry lies in one powerful word: respect.

Before captivating audiences on screen, Dawn was working a regular nine-to-five job in the tourism sector in Durban. But in 2012, she took a leap of faith, left her day job, and stepped into the world of acting.

Her big break came with a role on Mzansi Magic's telenovela Inkaba, and she's never looked back.

Dawn, who's also a musician, motivational speaker, and social media personality from Eshowe in KZN, said she approaches each character with deep dedication.

"Every time I receive a new role, I make sure I understand the character thoroughly. Once I'm on set, the role truly comes to life through interactions with other actors," she told Daily Sun.

The 47-year-old Dawn believes her staying power in the industry comes from being grounded and giving each performance her all.

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"I respect the work, I respect the set, and I respect my castmates. That's what keeps it fun and fulfilling for me," she said.

Dawn said one of the highlights of her career came when she was cast in the historical drama Shaka iLembe. The role wasn't just another job, it was something she had manifested years before.

"Funny thing is that in 2016 this is the character that I had said I wanted to play and said not knowing that our industry would grow and become what it is.

"I said if I could get the opportunity to portray this character from Mkabayi it would mean I have reached the ceiling of my career in South Africa and when it did happen, I did not know what that felt like up until I embodied the character," said Dawn.

She said when the opportunity finally arrived, she embraced it wholeheartedly.

"Being part of Shaka iLembe means being part of history. It's an important project that tells our stories, and those stories will live on," she said.