Jo-Anne Reyneke discusses the evolution of female representation in South African film
Actress Jo-Anne Reyneke will be on Joburg Film Festival’s JBX Talks panel on the topic: Women Who Lead.
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Actress Jo-Anne Reyneke is a part of the Joburg Film Festival's JBX Talks 2026 panel on the topic: Women Who Lead.
Hosted from March 4 - 6 at the Sandton Convention Centre, JBX – The Joburg Xchange.
Reyneke shared that attendees can expect “authenticity” from her when she speaks on the panel, and that she hopes everyone leaves with a fuller spirit and mind.
Unpacking the topic, Reyneke shared with IOL, reflected on staying creatively engaged without losing your core identity in an ever-evolving industry
In her 17-year-long career, Reyneke has mainly focused on being happy and authentic. “I feel that sometimes with reinvention, it's hard for your fans to journey with these different versions of you.”
As a creative, Reyneke is always inspired, and always looks to walk an individual journey, that's not pretentious, which her supporters can relate to, and doesn't spend too much time trying to be something she is not.
“I'm flawed, I'm human like everyone else, the life experience is nothing new...we are all just trying to live honestly for as long as we have.”
South Africa’s film and TV landscape has faced funding gaps, shifting audiences, and limited opportunities for women and career sustainability looks different to everyone at different points in their career.
At the beginning of her career, Reyneke admits to being naive, thinking that choosing a job in this industry would lead to financial contentment, but over the years, she’s realised that actors are at the bottom of the food chain.
“Every actor who is living well, it's because they went into other businesses; achieving financial freedom through acting alone (like in Hollywood) is impossible, and that's a sad state of affairs.”
When it comes to being intentional about choosing roles that reflect women’s inner lives honestly, rather than stereotypically, Reyneke is quick to remind that “there is no choice in South Africa”.
“The character you get is the character you play. I've never turned down a part, whether I like them or not; it's about working and making a living, which is sad. Because it means we will never be in control of the type of woman we play...unless you create them for yourself.”
Reyneke does see that the types of female characters that actresses are being given over the past few years are definitely getting better; they have more power and status.
However, Reyneke adds that the industry still has a long way to go. “For as long as a woman MUST have a man to complete her, for as long as a woman must be evil to be at the top...we have our work cut out for us.”
Reyneke sees hope in the future of South African storytelling, with the number of women on each set, in every department growing. “I get so excited seeing a woman handle a camera or heavy equipment.
“I love woman producers, writers, directors... for our future generations, it won't even be a thing that the big boss is a woman...it'll be common, and that's the right direction.”
Reyneke, last year, led the cast of the Netflix series “Bad Influencer”, and her co-stars all praised her for being a nurturing mentor and always having the cast's best interest at heart.
When it comes to her role in mentoring or influencing the next generation of women in the industry, Reyneke said that she learnt how to be a leading lady from other different types of leading ladies and took what she admired.
“I believe strongly that the fish rots from the head. You pass all that nastiness down the line, and newcomers are learning bad habits from you. Telling a story is a group effort, no ONE person is more special than the next, we all matter!”
JBX Talks 2026 Women Who Lead takes place on March 6, 16:00 - 16:30.
IOL