Before Dawn Thandeka's breakthrough in the acting industry, she was working a 9-5 job in the tourism industry around durban.She eventually quit her job in the tourism industry to pursue her acting career and her debut in the acting industry came in 2012 where she got a role in Mzansi Magic's telenovela Inkaba.A few years later she potrayed the role of Lindiwe Xulu (Mangcobo) on a telenovela broadcast on SABC1 called Uzalo which is the most viewed television show in south africa.Her character was well received by the audience with Dawn Thandeka receiving praise for her acting skills.