Try to hear leading characters in South Africa? (5)
I believe the answer is:
essay
'try' is the definition.
(essay can mean to try or attempt something)
I don't understand the remainder of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for essay that I've seen before include "Analytic or interpretive literary composition (5_" , "Thesis" , "Test" , "School composition" , "Have a shot at a written piece" .)