Lockdown Lowdown With Mmabatho Montsho

What is the first thing you'll get up to once lockdown is over? First and foremost, I will visit my family, followed by a hike at the Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens. I have two episodes to shoot for a series, after that I will definitely be visiting the bush for a breather. Which restaurant do you miss the most? None, really. My lockdown partner is a brilliant cook and I didn’t know just how talented they are until this lockdown. I am missing out on my mother’s baking though, so I’m hoping she’ll make something specially for me. https://www.instagram.com/p/B8kXKkrldua/ What's your favourite home-cooked meal you've made during lockdown? I haven’t made anything great myself. Everyday has been a great food adventure. Tonight, it’s good old phuthu and milk - an all time favourite. What are you watching on Netflix? Tjovitjo season 1, a South African dance series filmed at Crown Mines starring Warren Masemola and directed by Vincent Moloi. Have you picked up a hobby or perfected a skill? I registered for a free online epidemiology course with John Hopkins; as well as a free, short film writing course with New York University. What are the three staples in your kitchen right now? Cheese Curls and Oreo ice cream. The rest of the menu has been assorted healthy meals. Coffee or tea? Raw cacao! What are you currently most grateful for? Health and work. I am a writer-director and the writing aspect has been a life saver. https://www.instagram.com/p/B_PxNMFlk2g/ How do you keep yourself going and motivated during this time? I am generally a hermit, so the lockdown isn’t particularly hard. I try my best to keep in touch with my family, not seeing them is the only difficult thing on a personal level. In terms of the pandemic itself, keeping up with the events and learning about the virus itself gives perspective - good or bad. Many workers will be experiencing no-work-no-pay, and it’s not any different for the film and TV industry. My business partner and I are developing solutions to create work opportunities that are safe. Thinking about something bigger than self is motivating.