I recently had the pleasure of speaking with Pamela Power, a Johannesburg-based television scriptwriter, script editor, novelist, and former actor. Pamela’s journey through the worlds of acting, teaching, and writing offers a fascinating glimpse into the craft of storytelling in South Africa today.

he has contributed to some of the country’s most popular television productions — Top Billing, Generations, Rockville, and Uzalo — and is currently a scriptwriter for Smoke & Mirrors (eTV) and the script editor for Youngins(Showmax). Beyond television, Pamela is the author and co-author of several novels, including Ms Conception, Things Unseen, and Chasing Marian (written with Amy Heydenrych, Qarnita Loxton, and Gail Schimmel).

In our conversation, Pamela shares how she first discovered writing, how real-life experiences often shape her characters, and why for her, storytelling can sometimes be a form of venting or healing. We also talk about patience, persistence, and the realities of building a creative career that doesn’t happen overnight.

It’s an inspiring, down-to-earth discussion about creativity, resilience, and the everyday life of a writer.