Exemplary Female Artists

Translated from Men’esey, a quarterly magazine published by the National Union of Eritrean Youth and Students

Our guest today, Rodas Mengis, is a famous actress who has worked on a number of short films, feature films and EriTv serials. She has also worked as a music video model and a host for social media shows.

• Introduce yourself, please.

I was born in 1997 in Asmara, went to Sawa as a member of the 28th batch and joined Mai- Nefhi College of Engineering, where I earned a diploma in Surveying and Drafting in 2022. Then I worked as a teacher.

As a child, I had a dream of becoming a doctor because my father was suffering from a tumor in his head for a long time. It was a longtime dream of mine to be a neurosurgeon. When I grew up, however, my dream shifted to art and civil engineering.

• What was your experience like in Sawa and college?

Sawa was a place that made me mature and develop mentality and physically. Before I went to Sawa I was worried I might get sick because I was allergic to a lot of things. But I soon realized that it could all change when you learn to accept the new situations. I learned a lot of life skills in Sawa.

My experience in college was a bit challenging, though. I joined college with a grade to join the degree program. Unfortunately, in my first year, I lost my father due to the tumor in his head. The loss of my father affected my academic performance in college so much that although when I joined the college, I was enrolled to study civil engineering in the degree program, I had to settle for an advanced diploma program. That’s how I earned a diploma in Surveying and Drafting.

• You worked as a teacher after you graduated, right?

Yes. After college, I got assigned to teach at Felege Hiwet School. After teaching for a semester there, I got transferred to Dahlak School. Overall I worked as a teacher for three years. I loved it and I loved teaching young kids.

• Was art your childhood dream?

I can’t say that. Of course, I used to join art clubs when I was a student but I was never consistent. From 10th grade on, however, I started modeling and continued to do so until I went to college. Then when I was a second year student in college, I was selected to be in the cast of a feature film called Fresh. That’s how I started my acting career.

At the beginning I had no idea what I was doing when I was acting because I wasn’t equipped with the right knowledge and experience. But I was able to do it with the help of the directors. Then opportunities presented themselves after the first movie. I was offered to be a music video model of some great artists. After that, it was history. I never looked back and went on to act. I gained more knowledge and more experience through the works and the opportunities I was getting.

• How would you describe acting as a career?

It is a career that helps you grow as an individual. Playing a variety of roles develops your perspectives in life. I believe that an artist’s job is to help develop society by celebrating its beauty and criticizing its flaws.

• You’ve worked as a host as well. Tell us more about it.

I started working as a host after I participated in a competition of females to determine who could be a good host. Then I became a host for YouTube videos and entertainment shows. I’m currently working with Hidmona Nebarit channel as a host of different programs.

• Is there any advice you’d like to give to the youth?

It is crucial to know that our country is built and protected by its youth. Our parents and grandparents did their part. It’s now our turn to take on the responsibility. In the past being self-employed was considered a good thing. But I believe that these days it is seen not as important by some females. We have to have positive mentality to create own jobs and make something that we will be proud of in the future.

• What’s next in your plans?

I want to focus more on acting and keep growing. I’m learning about writing as well; I have a plan to work on it with the help of professionals. I am grateful to my family and friends who have been there for me throughout my journey.

• Thank you for your time.